Omaha, Nebraska: Eppley Airfield Opens Its First New Gates on November 4 in the Build OMA Overhaul

The Omaha Airport Authority announced on Wednesday, October 28 that the next phase of the Build OMA Terminal Modernization Program opens on Wednesday, November 4, when south terminal passengers at Eppley Airfield begin using a portion of the new concourse. It is the first part of the roughly $1 billion program to open to the traveling public.

The new gates are A1, A1A, A1B and A2. They will be used at first by the airlines operating from the south terminal. Passengers will go through security the same way they do today and follow signs for the new gates, the authority said.

Inside the new space, passengers will find updated seating, additional charging stations, larger restrooms, mother's rooms and family restrooms. The first of several new airport concessions will also open in November for passengers using the south terminal.

"This is an exciting milestone for OMA and the thousands of people who have been working to bring the new terminal to life," said Dave Roth, chief executive officer of the Omaha Airport Authority. Roth said passengers will be able to experience some of the new spaces and amenities for the first time, while a large amount of work remains ahead.

What opens next

In early 2027, the central pavilion and additional portions of the unified concourse will open, bringing all passengers into the new terminal experience. More concessions will begin opening at that time, along with an airport lounge and a centralized security checkpoint.

Construction continues through 2028 as the authority completes the remaining phases of the program, including international flight capabilities. Passenger pickup and drop off will stay on level 1 of the south garage for the rest of construction, while crews renovate the front portions of the terminal. Pickup and drop off return to the terminal front drive when the project concludes in 2028.

KETV gave travelers a first look at the renovated gate area this week, and noted that passengers will still deal with construction changes for years. WOWT reported in September that construction was 60 percent complete. Steve McCoy, the authority's chief strategy officer, told WOWT the airport was opening four new gates connected to the existing south concourse ahead of the original February plan, with much larger hold rooms, new finishes, larger restrooms and other technological improvements.

A busy regional airport in the middle of a rebuild

Eppley Airfield is the largest airport in the Nebraska and Iowa region. It served more than 5.2 million passengers in 2025. Seven airlines provide about 75 daily departures to 37 nonstop destinations from Omaha, according to the authority.

Roth asked passengers for patience while the work continues. "We know passengers are eager to see the progress happening at OMA, and this gate preview gives them the first opportunity to experience it firsthand," he said. Travelers can follow the project and check travel information at BuildOMA.com.