Oklahoma City’s main gateway, OKC Will Rogers International Airport, closed 2024 with its strongest year on record: 4,602,573 passengers, up 4.6% from 2023. Airport leaders say the climb continues in 2025 as airlines add flights, the new customs area comes online, and a long-range expansion plan moves from paper to construction.
Officials project the airport could reach 6 million annual travelers within five years, reflecting steady growth in Oklahoma City’s economy and the region’s need for more seats and more routes.
Passenger growth and route expansion
Airport Director Jeff Mulder credited steady demand and a broader route map for the gains. “Our growing community and strong economy continue to be reflected in our airline passenger numbers,” he said, pointing to more flights to major hubs and popular leisure spots.
Recent airline service changes include:
– Frontier: increased service to Las Vegas and Denver
– United: added Chicago and Houston
– Southwest: expanded to Nashville, Orlando, and Las Vegas
– American: grew service to Charlotte and Dallas with seasonal Miami flights
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these network moves help local travelers find one-stop connections across the country and, soon, abroad.
Summer 2025 has kept the momentum going. While official numbers are pending, airport staff report heavy peaks and tight parking during rush periods, a pattern that prompted fast-tracking of a new multi-story garage. The Oklahoma City Airport Trust approved a 25-year master plan in July 2025 that lays out how the airport will tackle near-term pinch points while planning for major growth through 2050.
The plan is paced to demand, adding roads, gates, and parking in steps to avoid overbuilding while still keeping up with crowds.
International readiness and service expansion
The airport’s push into global service is more than branding. After reintroducing itself in 2024 as “Will Rogers International Airport,” OKC completed its Federal Inspection Station (FIS) in January 2025, giving the airport on-site customs and immigration processing for direct international arrivals.
Construction began in 2024 and wrapped in 2025, clearing the way for discussions with airlines on the first nonstop routes abroad. Talks focus on Mexico, and announcements are expected later in 2025.
The goal is simple: cut the extra connection many Oklahoma travelers now make through Houston, Dallas, or another hub to reach the beach or visit family.
Stacey Hamm, the airport’s public information officer, emphasized aircraft supply as the main factor shaping how fast airlines can add routes. “Airlines will have more planes available, so they can start adding markets, such as OKC and other markets, for us to fly to directly, whether that be domestically or internationally.”
For local travelers, that means patience in the short term and the promise of more nonstop options over the next couple of years.
Processing for international arrivals will happen on-site, which should cut time and confusion for families returning from trips abroad once direct flights begin. For official guidance on customs when flying into the United States, travelers can review U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s travel information at https://www.cbp.gov/travel. That page explains inspection basics and what to declare so passengers can move through the FIS smoothly when the first routes launch.
Important: The functioning FIS is a necessary step for direct international service. Travelers should review customs guidance before flying internationally to avoid delays.
Infrastructure plan and immediate improvements
The airport’s new master plan phases construction to match passenger milestones:
- At 6 million passengers:
- New multi-story parking garage
- Two-level terminal roadway
- Restroom remodels
- Replacement of baggage carousels
- New boarding bridges
- Durable terrazzo flooring replacing high-maintenance tile
- At 8 million passengers:
- More gates
- Larger terminal headhouse
- Additional parking adjustments
- Long-term target (20 million passengers):
- Widened curbside roadway
- Up to 40 gates
- New parking areas
- Future light rail link to downtown Oklahoma City
Design for the garage is set for completion in 2025, with construction scheduled to start in 2026.
2025 projects already underway
- Restroom remodels throughout the concourse
- Baggage carousels replaced by year’s end
- Six new boarding bridges to modernize gate operations
- Outbound baggage system upgrades to boost reliability
- Terrazzo flooring replacing tile in busy areas
The airport also formed the OKC Airport and Chamber Air Service Support Committee in 2025. The group brings community voices to the table and helps identify new domestic and international routes with the strongest demand.
Passenger experience and practical guidance
For day-to-day users, the biggest pain point has been parking during the busiest travel waves. The airport urges travelers to:
1. Arrive early
2. Check official channels for updates
3. Watch for construction notices as the garage project advances
Short-term disruptions are likely, but airport leaders say the payoff will be smoother drop-offs, faster baggage claim, and more flexible gate operations once work is complete.
Passengers who want to share their experience can use airport surveys, email, or phone to provide feedback. Leaders say they listen and use comments to guide service changes, from restroom layouts to wayfinding signs. The airport’s official website, flyokc.com, posts updates on projects, route news, and travel tips, and lists contacts for the Public Information Office.
Economic impact and airline incentives
Beyond convenience, the growth carries real dollars for the city. Direct travel spending tied to OKC Will Rogers International Airport passengers reached $2.7 billion in 2024.
Benefits of a thicker route map include:
– Easier visits for companies, helping recruit talent and reach new markets
– More affordable trips for families with fewer layovers
– A simpler path for visitors into downtown Oklahoma City
– Greater flexibility for airlines to add flights and test new routes as gates and support systems scale
With a functioning FIS and a public ready to fill seats, OKC can compete for routes that once seemed out of reach.
Near-term checklist and outlook
Leaders have a clear short-term to-do list:
1. Finish the customs facility work
2. Replace the baggage carousels
3. Start building the parking garage
The first direct international flights could begin in late 2025 or early 2026, depending on airline timelines. Medium- and long-term plans will add gates and curb space as traffic moves toward 8 million and beyond, with the light rail link on the horizon as Oklahoma City grows.
For now, the numbers tell the story: a record year in 2024, heavy peaks this summer, a master plan that scales, and a community eager for the first nonstop stamp in a brand-new passport line at home. With OKC Will Rogers International Airport stepping into the international lane, regional travelers may soon swap a second connection for a shorter ride to the terminal—and a faster start to their trip.
This Article in a Nutshell
OKC Will Rogers posted 4,602,573 passengers in 2024, prompting a phased master plan. A new FIS completed January 2025 enables direct international flights. Parking, gates, and terminal upgrades begin; garage design finishes in 2025 and construction starts 2026 to meet rising demand and economic growth.
