United Airlines’ new nonstop flight to Cleveland, Ohio made its inaugural flight from Will Rogers World Airport this Thursday morning, February, 14.  Airline and airport officials celebrated United’s newest addition to Oklahoma City at the departure gate with an official ribbon cutting, refreshments, a souvenir gift for the first passengers and of course, rock and roll, provided by the local band “Electric Avenue.” 

The new United route supports the growing relationships in the energy sector between Oklahoma City and Northeast Ohio. Additionally, the flight provides more connecting opportunities to key east coast destinations such as New York LaGuardia, Washington Reagan, and Philadelphia. 

The new service reinforces the robust health of Oklahoma City, an important factor when airlines are considering new service.  In addition to the new Cleveland flight, United recently added service to San Francisco.  United now serves all eight of its domestic hubs from Oklahoma City.

 The departing flight received a water cannon salute from the airport's fire department.

In order to accommodate the large number of fans expected to greet the returning OKC Thunder, Will Rogers World Airport has designated a special area for fans to greet and cheer the team. 

A stage will be set for the Thunder to make an appearance upon arriving in Oklahoma City between 1:30pm and 2:00pm this afternoon.  Free parking will also be provided in the area adjacent to the stage.

The stage area is located just east of Terminal Drive on Amelia Earhart Lane.   Fans will turn left at the stoplight for entry to the area.  Large electronic signs will assist in directing them to the proper area. 

Due to the fact that many companies are actively conducting business during this time of day, no parking or gathering of fans will be allowed on Meridian Avenue, the adjoining streets, or in parking lots of the airport businesses. 

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has begun the installation of state-of-the-art Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) machines at Will Rogers World Airport’s (WRWA) security checkpoints. These machines are highly effective in detecting potentially dangerous items that a passenger may be carrying, including weapons and explosives.

The AIT machines being installed at WRWA use millimeter wave technology; harmless electromagnetic waves that safely detect potentially dangerous items. These machines do not display specific images of a passenger’s body, only a generic outline of a person and there are no separate rooms where screeners view images.

AIT is just one of several technologies that TSA utilizes in the checkpoint screening process. Imaging technology automatically detects potentially dangerous items a passenger may be carrying, including weapons and explosives. AIT screening is currently used in 140 airports across the country.

What to expect
The procedure for travelers using the AIT is simple: the passenger steps into the imaging portal, stands in position for a few seconds while the machine creates an image, then steps out. Should the machine detect an item concealed under a passenger’s clothing, the machine generates a generic image, similar to a gingerbread man, with a box around the area of concern. At that point, a TSA officer determines if additional screening is needed. If the machine detects no anomalies, a green box with the words “OK” appears on the screen. The entire process is conducted in the presence of the passenger.

The biggest difference passengers will notice with the new machines is preparing for AIT screening. Prior to entering the machine, a person must remove all items from pockets and jackets, as well as accessories such as shoes, belts, and bulky jewelry. Any item, such as a wallet left in a back pocket, will show up as an anomaly on the machine and may cause the passenger to have additional screening.

The millimeter wave technology meets all known national and international health and safety standards. The screening is safe for all passengers, including children, pregnant women, and individuals with medical implants. AIT screening is optional; however, if a passenger chooses not to use the machine, they will receive alternative screening, including a physical pat-down.

For more information visit the TSA website.

Southwest Airlines announced that it will begin daily nonstop service to Chicago's Midway International Airport beginning June 3, 2012.   Midway is the larget airport that Southwest serves with 236 nonstop daily departures to 55 cities.

While Chicago O'Hare is served by two other carriers out of Oklahoma City, Chicago Midway was one of Oklahoma City’s largest airport markets without nonstop daily service.  Airport officials have long lobbied for the service, noting that the demand was strong for the market.  Additionally, it would provide many more connecting opportunities to the Midwest and the Northeast, which have previously been underserved by Southwest from Oklahoma City.

The proposed Southwest Midway schedule is as follows:

From Oklahoma City to MDW

From MDW to Oklahoma City

The daily flights are open for sale through www.southwest.com, Southwest Airlines reservations at 1-800-435-9792 or through travel agencies.

Southwest Airlines also serves Baltimore, Dallas Love, Denver, Houston Hobby, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Phoenix and St. Louis from Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport.

Cable cars.  Alcatraz.  The Golden Gate Bridge.  Where else but San Francisco?  And now, flying there is easier than ever.  United Airlines will begin daily nonstop service between Oklahoma City and the City by the Bay on August 29 with the arrival of flight 6240.  The first departure will be the next morning, August 30.

United Express will be operating the flights using the Canadair CRJ7 regional jet aircraft.  The jet has 66 seats - - six in first class, 28 in Economy Plus and 32 in economy. 

Flight 6241 Depart OKC:  7:14AM Arrive SFO: 8:50AM
Flight 6240 Depart SFO:  4:00PM  Arrives OKC: 9:16PM

The addition of the new flight connects Oklahoma City to seven of United’s hubs across the country:  Denver, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington Dulles, San Francisco, Houston, and Newark.

To book a reservation, go to http://www.ual.com/.

Beginning April 5, 2011 American Airlines will offer daily nonstop service from Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport to Los Angeles International Airport.  The new route will be served by American Eagle's Bombardier CRJ-700 fleet, which now offers a first class cabin.

The new schedule is as follows:
Depart OKC:  2:40PM  Arrive LAX:  3:45PM
Depart LAX:  9:10AM  Arrive OKC:  2:00PM

The daily service is timed to complement a number of American’s connecting destinations, including Hawaii.

With the addition of American's new flight, daily nonstops to Los Angeles from Oklahoma City rises to three.  United Airlines currently offers two daily nonstop flights.

American Airlines also serves Chicago O’Hare with four daily flights and Dallas/Ft. Worth with seven daily flights.

The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Southwest Region recently announced Will Rogers World Airport as Outstanding Oklahoma Airport 2010.  The award was given to the airport for its extraordinary efforts to improve airport safety and its management effectiveness at the airport.

Several capital projects contributed to the improvement of airport safety:

• An update of the Airport Master Plan revised the airport noise contours and maintained zoning around the airport ensuring compatible development with the neighboring environs.
• Installation of Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI’s) for Runway 13/31   (PAPI’s are visual aids that provide guidance information to pilots to assist them in maintaining the proper approach angle to an airport.)
• Construction of a perimeter Road around the Runway 13 safety area
• Purchase of a new Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Command Vehicle

Projects that exemplify effective management include:

• The construction of a new General Aviation Terminal which supports corporate and business aviation and benefits all airport users
• A land use planning project to strategically develop approximately 1,000 acres of airport land.  The land use plan will create a long-term self-sustaining revenue source for the airport and create jobs for the Oklahoma City community.