First Look: Omaha Opens New Concourse Gates

OMAHA, NEBRASKA — Four new gates opened at Eppley Airfield (OMA) on November 4, giving passengers access to the first portion of a new concourse while work continues on the airport's terminal modernization.

Airways photographer Chris Goulet visited on opening day and reported that Delta Air Lines (DL) was using the new gates in place of its previous south concourse gates. Passengers reach the newly opened area through the existing south terminal.

The opening covers Gates A1, A1A, A1B and A2, which passengers access through the existing security checkpoint, according to the opening plans reported by Grow Omaha.

More Room at the Gates

Goulet found the new seating areas considerably roomier than the old concourse, which he said can become cramped when several flights overlap. The new section also includes modernized restrooms.

His photographs show rows of brown seats with power outlets and USB charging ports, large windows overlooking the airfield and a broad walkway alongside the gate areas.

Food and drink choices were still limited in the newly opened section during his visit. Much of the expanded dining and shopping offer is planned for the central pavilion, which has yet to open.

The airport plans to open the central pavilion and additional portions of the unified concourse in early 2027, according to the October 28 report. The completed concourse will connect the currently separated terminal areas, with passengers entering through a centralized checkpoint.

That makes the November opening an initial improvement for passengers using the south terminal, ahead of the broader change to how travelers move through the airport. The airport's published construction timeline also calls for new baggage-handling and ticketing systems in mid-2027, with construction continuing through 2028.

Visiting Without a Flight

Goulet used Gateside by TSA PreCheck to visit the new gates without flying. He said he has TSA PreCheck through Global Entry and received approval after entering his information on the program's website.

At the airport, he presented his identification and the reservation on his phone before proceeding through security.

“It was really seamless,” with the officer who processed Goulet had not previously encountered someone using the program. Now I want to visit Omaha.