OKC's Will Rogers World Airport Budgets To Meet High Demands

The Will Rogers World Airport said despite higher travel costs, more and more people are taking to the skies.

On Tuesday, the Oklahoma City City Council heard plans to keep up with the rising number along with the airport’s 2023 budget.

“Ultimately, we want to make sure we have everything in place to meet demand,” said Director of Airports Jeff Mulder.

The demand reached levels not seen in four years.

“We’re essentially back to the numbers we saw pre-covid in 2019,” said Mulder. “That’s despite the higher travel costs.”

The demand left the Will Rogers World Airport parking lot at full capacity last week.

“One of the projects we anticipate starting in the next couple of years is a parking garage,” said Mulder.

It’s just one of the projects on the list.

At the top of the list is replacing outdated boarding bridges.

The airport is also in the planning stages of building a Federal Inspection Station. The hope is that Will Rogers will be able to receive non-stop international flights by 2025.

A trust is used to fund construction and operations at city airports while the city budget covers the cost of personnel.

That money is then refunded by the trust, so Mulder said the airport is not paid for by taxpayers.

While some non-stop domestic flights are returning post-pandemic, Mulder says others have not due to pilot shortages.

That means fewer and fuller flights with the increased demand.

“[We are] always looking to stay ahead of the growth and try to mitigate the capacity issues,” Mulder said.