E-Newsletter Sign Up!

Make Us Your Homepage

Airport has highest boarding increase in January

By LeAnn Eckroth, Senior Staff Writer
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 12:21 PM CST


As it eyes a fourth flight in the near horizon, Williston's Sloulin Field International Airport again garnered the highest increase in boardings for January, according to a report by the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission.

The local landing strip saw its number of enplanements spike by 25.86 percent over January 2007 figures. There were 730 people flying from here last month compared to 580 one year ago at the same time.

Williston just edged over Dickinson which saw a 25.3 percent jump in boarding numbers.

Overall, boardings statewide fell .34 a percent.

Minot saw a slight increase in boardings with an increase of 1.34 percent increase. Jamestown's boardings rose 9.6 percent. Bismarck's boarding decreased 1.32 percent, and the number of people flying from Devils Lake dropped 16.48 percent.

Fargo's boardings edged down .19 a percent. Grand Forks saw its numbers decrease 3.67 percent.

The first month of 2008 had 183 less or .34 a percent decline in airline boardings at the eight commercial North Dakota airports versus January 2007.

"The slight decline is not surprising as airline capacity nationwide has remained stable with higher airfares due to escalating jet fuel prices," said North Dakota Aeronautics Commission Director Gary Ness.

"We're still working on a fourth flight. A few pieces of the puzzle must still come together," said Williston Airport Manager Rick Marburger. "We have enough demand for another flight. It's a matter of finding enough aircraft and enough pilots."

He said rumors are untrue that passengers are being bumped for oil freight.

"Our problems are with weather. We're so full, there are no available flights for people on the next flight if there is a weather delay. It's so full, there are no seats available," Marburger said.

He added he would like to see a direct flight from Williston to Denver if possible.
 

Comments

Write a Comment

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Williston Herald is not liable for messages from third parties.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in WillistonHerald.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the Williston Herald. The Williston Herald does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Williston Herald spokespersons.

Thank you for your comments!

(optional)
   

Contact Us

Mailing Address:
Williston Herald
P.O. Box 1447
Williston, ND
58802

Street Address:
14 W. 4th St.
Williston, ND 58801

Phone:
701-572-2165

Fax:
701-572-9563

Inside North Dakota:
1-800-950-2165

Classifieds

Shopping