OKC’s first international flight promises economic ripple effect

Listen to this article

Oklahoma City‘s Will Rogers International Airport will run its first-ever international flight, to Cancun, Mexico, this weekend, just in time for our weather to turn cold and gloomy. Thanks to the strategic partnership with American Airlines, Oklahomans can start planning warmer winter getaways. This development is exciting for obvious reasons, but more than the warm, sandy beaches, this growth signals our city’s connectivity and competitiveness in a global economy.

Infrastructure improvements, like the newly installed customs area for the international gate, accompany developments like this. The Alliance for Economic Development was proud to support airport improvements, and the benefits are likely to compound. Data from the International Transportation Forum suggests that improved connectivity in transportation reduces travel costs across the board while also strengthening trade and regional competitiveness.

New visitors to our city offer exciting potential for increased spending here at home, but outbound flights can have a very significant impact, as well. A case study out of Arizona State University on the addition of international flights to the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport showed a ripple effect among travelers starting their trips locally, with parking, dining or retail in and near the airport.

Cancun flights are a potential boon to the economy and a new symbol of our status as a major U.S. city. The growth as a hub of tourism and commerce is slated to have a serious impact. But perhaps best of all, it is fun. The potential to catch a direct flight to such an exciting region is fun, and in fact, I anticipate a spike in time-off requests from our own staff here at The Alliance. OKC is a fantastic place to live, growing even better every day, and developments in recreation, travel and international connectivity are all a part of our growth.

With the addition of new weekly international flights, Will Rogers International Airport is expected to accommodate more passengers than ever before, continuing last year’s record-breaking trend, marking exciting new growth for travel and business in OKC.

So do not be surprised if you see more suntanned Oklahomans than ever this winter, as this route begins to catch on. And of course, do not be surprised if we see a flurry of economic growth related to this major transportation development.

Kenton Tsoodle is the president of The Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City.