Will Rogers World Airport Bouncing Back From The Pandemic

The first thing travelers may notice is that Will Rogers World Airport isn't as empty as it once was last year, especially during peak daily travel times.

"You may have noticed a flight go to Phoenix one time per day, and now, they have increased it to two or three times,” Will Rogers World Airport public information and marketing manager Stacey Hamm said.  

During this past Monday, the airport hit the 7,000 daily passenger mark for the first time since the pandemic began in 2020. Hamm said the airport was seeing somewhere around 2,000 passengers at this time last year.

The mark also suggests that passengers may want to arrive at the airport earlier.

"The two-hour rule is starting to apply, so don't forget that you definitely want to show up at least two hours,” Hamm said.  

There has been some talk as to whether Zoom and other virtual communication will change the way businesses do travel and how often they would take flight.  

Hamm said the airport anticipates business travel picking back up soon. More conventions and events have returned to the metro, such as the Women’s College World Series.   

"We had the NCAA Tournament (Women’s College World Series) here, so that was really good welcoming all of the softball players their family and friends,” Hamm said.

On top of adding more flights, more parking should be reopening soon.

"We are opening those lots back up because we are starting to see the demand for parking,” Hamm said. “Long-term parking has definitely increased since Spring Break."

Travelers will also notice construction of a new terminal at WRWA. Expanded security checkpoints are also in the works, which could cause some minor inconveniences.

Travelers will still be required to wear masks at least until Sept. 13 when the mandate will be re-evaluated.

The airport did not have to lay anyone off due to the pandemic, but Hamm said some companies they contracted with were discontinued.  

Applications are open to fill those positions back up and expand cleaning staff, restaurant staff and other positions.