Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport Gears Up for International Service with New Customs Facility

Oklahoma City Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) is laying the groundwork for its entry into international air service by soliciting bids for the construction of a new facility designed to accommodate arriving international passengers. This facility will include a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) checkpoint, marking a significant leap forward for the historically domestic-only airport.

Following the completion of a terminal expansion project in 2021, which introduced a gate and boarding bridge capable of handling international flights, OKC is now focused on constructing the necessary space on the terminal’s lower level for the clearance of international passengers into the United States. The project, with an estimated cost of $12 million, aims to have the new facility operational by the end of the year.

Jeff Mulder, the Director of OKC, expressed enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its potential to introduce nonstop international flights to Oklahoma City. Targeting Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America, the airport is actively engaging with airlines to establish new services, recognizing both the leisure travel demand from central Oklahoma to these regions and the growing local population from these areas.

In 2023, OKC experienced an 11% increase in passenger traffic over the previous year, with 4.4 million passengers, aligning closely with its 2019 figures. Home to several domestic carriers including Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Breeze Airways, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines, OKC’s expansion into international flights represents a strategic move to broaden its service offerings and meet the diverse needs of its travelers.