Facebook tracking pixel December 2020 Update from the Municipal Airport Authority - Hector International Airport

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December 2020 Update From The Municipal Airport Authority

Posted December 31, 2020

A Look Ahead to 2021

As we look to the new year, we have reasons to be optimistic for a bright 2021. Hector International Airport saw unprecedented declines in air travel in March 2020, but continues to see positive trends in passenger travel ever since. With the COVID-19 vaccine rollout underway and stringent cleaning procedures being rigorously followed, Hector International Airport is prepared to welcome you back when you’re ready to Fly Fargo.

 

Fargo Jet Center Celebrates 25 Years

Fargo Jet Center, a recognized leader in the aviation service industry, proudly celebrated their 25th anniversary in September 2020

FJC was established in 1995 when their sister company, Weather Modification International, moved their headquarters to Fargo, ND, and sought an opportunity to start an aviation service company while supporting their fleet of aircraft.

FJC has grown exponentially in the last 25 years, including purchasing and managing aviation service companies Williston Jet Center (Williston, ND) in 2013-2014 and Premier Jet Center (Eden Prairie, MN) in 2014-present. FJC is proud to have established itself within the aviation industry, providing services to clients from all over the world.

Over the past decade, FJC has been recognized in the top five percent of aviation service companies in the Aviation International News annual FBO Survey, Fltplan.com’s Pilots’ Choice awards, and was the recipient of Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year” in 2010. Additionally, FJC’s maintenance department has received the FAA Diamond Award and NATA 5-Star Maintenance Award, their flight operations department is a recipient of the NBAA Flying Safety Award having flown over 25,000 commercial business hours accident-free, and their flight school has been recognized in the AOPA Flight Training Experience Awards as a Distinguished Flight School.

 

Non-Stop Service to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport Returns

Allegiant Air has announced the return of its direct flight to St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE) beginning February 11, 2021. This option offers regionals travelers another warm weather solution and reprieve from cold winter months. The greater St. Petersburg, Florida area offers high quality beaches, excellent guest accommodations and world-class dining experiences.

The nonstop route via Hector International Airport (FAR) will operate twice weekly. Flight days, times and fares are available at Allegiantair.com.

 

The Arts Partnership Welcomes Passengers with Local Musicians

The ArtWORKS program at Hector International Airport hosted 18 musical performances by local artists throughout the holiday season. Performances ran weekly over the lunch hour between mid-November 2020 and early January 2021. Performers included:

  • The Crop Dusters
  • Dan Christianson
  • Deborah Harris
  • Jake Ingamar
  • Jessica Vines and Conor Lee
  • Silver Winds Flute Quartet
  • The Kicks Band of Fargo-Moorhead
  • Kwaician Traylor

Acts were comprised of primarily solo and duo performances, positioned by the café on the 2nd floor. All of the performers that participated in the series had received grants from The Arts Partnership. Most had received Jade Presents Arts Partnership grants, partially funded by Jade Presents, to help artists with outstanding talent and ability realize their artistic vision. The Kicks Band receives City Arts Partnership funding from The Arts Partnership; these grants represent an investment in the overall health and success of the metro’s arts organizations.

 

Spotlight on North Dakota Air National Guard

The North Dakota Air National Guard will celebrate their 75th anniversary next year. They officially became a National Guard on January 16, 1947, at Hector Airport, Fargo, ND. The 119th Wing performs Remotely Piloted Aircraft missions. This mission involves a variety of operations such as:

  • Close air support
  • Air interdiction
  • Intelligence collection
  • Quick strike capabilities with minimal danger to military personnel
  • Intelligence
  • Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR)
  • Aircraft Maintenance (RPA Launch & Recovery)
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

Additionally, the 119th Wing has an Intelligence Targeting mission. This encompasses skills involved in collecting, producing, and distributing data that have strategic or tactical value and targeting functions like weaponeering, force application, execution plans and combat assessment.

 

Q4 2020 boarding statistics

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the industry. While Hector International Airport is seeing reduced traveler numbers compared to the same months last year, passenger numbers are exceeding our expectations considering the pandemic.

October 2020 was the seventh full month since the COVID-19 pandemic halted most air travel. Hector International Airport had a decrease in enplanements with 19,591, a decrease of 51.0 percent when compared to last October’s passenger enplanements of 39,968.

Total passenger count for the month was 37,881, which is down 51.6 percent over the same period last year. There were 452 air carrier departures with an average of 81 seats per flight in October and an average of 1,222 total daily passengers.

November 2020 is the eighth month since the pandemic halted almost all air travel. Hector International Airport had a decrease in enplanements with 17,766, a decrease of 53.0 percent when compared to last November’s passenger enplanements of 37,823.

The total passenger count for the month was 34,368, which is down 53.5 percent over the same period last year. There were 469 air carrier departures with an average of 80 seats per flight in November and an average of 1,146 total daily passengers.

December 2020 is the nineth month since the pandemic halted almost all air travel. Hector International Airport had a decrease in enplanements with 19,820, a decrease of 56.9 percent when compared to last December’s passenger enplanements of 46,021

The total passenger count for the month was 38,850, which is down 56.5 percent over the same period last year. There were 489 air carrier departures with an average of 78 seats per flight in December and an average of 1,234 total daily passengers.

 

Year-End 2020 Summary

Airline passenger traffic in 2020 at Hector International Airport showed a decrease as compared to 2019 as COVID has had a significant impact on travel. In 2020, the total passenger enplanements were 238,508. This is a decrease of -49.4% when compared to the 2019 passenger enplanements of 471,333.

The total passenger count for the year was 478,604, which is down -49.1% over 2019 which had 939,720 total passengers.

Hector Airport had 5,000 air carrier landings in 2020.

The passenger traffic numbers do not include 1,669 charter passengers that also enplaned from the various charter operators in 2020.

Air Cargo 2020 Summary – A Record Year

In 2020, 6,185 air cargo aircraft landed with a total landed weight of 420,270,416 pounds as compared to 6,203 air cargo aircraft landed with a 2019 total landed weight of 391,019,295 pounds. This is a 7.5% increase over the previous record year.

FedEx started air cargo hub service in late 2016 and UPS started air cargo hub service in late 2018.