Summary Oklahoma City is rebranding its airport as Will Rogers International Airport to attract international flights by next spring. Trust members voted unanimously to change the airport name after a survey showed low recognition of the current name. The airport is investing $12 million in a Federal Inspection station to accommodate international flights after previous expansions.
Oklahoma City is betting big on a name change to rejuvenate its local airport. The city aspires to welcome international flights next Spring . OKC, currently known as Will Rogers World Airport, after an American vaudeville performer, actor, and aviator.
A bid to change the airport name has seen airport officials discuss it in depth at a June trust meeting, and it has been sent to the city council for signoff. The new name would be Will Rogers International Airport. Updated branding is due at the airport this September, and local residents and travelers are expected to see the new name reflected on signs and buses across the airport precinct.
Everything will be updated to reflect the name change. Public Information & Marketing spokesperson at Will Rogers World Airport, Stacey Hamm, reiterated the plans to KOCO5 News : “We are this close to having some international travels, so now is the time to add that back into our name. We’ll replace our signage, wayfinding signs along terminal drive.
We’ll replace the big name on our stone wall. They (council) will need to vote on making the name official.” The new 80,000+ square feet hangar will accommodate all 737 variants.
Get all the latest airline route news right here Trust members at Will Rogers World Airport have already voted 5 to 0 to pass a joint resolution to rename the city's airport, and it will now be on the table for the city council to consider. This is because earlier this year, the airport trust released a survey in which they interviewed around 6,000 people about the airport's future. Results of the survey identified that only 19% of people refer to the airport by its current name.
While the name change is to subtly add international, it will still honor the Oklahoman Will Rogers and his contribution to aviation in the state. International aspirations Airport authorities expect to welcome international flights to the airport by next spring after the airport released bid documents to build a Federal Inspection station at OKC that would be staffed by Customers and Border protection . The project's estimated cost would be $12 million and be funded by airport revenues.
In 2021, the airport finished its expansion to the main terminal, which included capabilities for international flights, a boarding bridge, and a gate. The next phase will be to finish the lower level area where international passengers can be cleared for entry into the United States . Attracting international carriers to bring non-stop services to the airport became the first time that Oklahomans could fly directly from their city to another country.
Oklahoma City/OKC Airport Trust, Director of Airports, Jeff Mulder stated to the Oklahoman : “This project will bring non-stop international flights to Oklahoma City. This will raise our profile as a community and provide a great amenity for our residents and visitors.” Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport is looking to build an immigration and customs facility to allow for international flights.
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