Facebook tracking pixel October 2021 Quarterly Update from Municipal Airport Authority - Hector International Airport

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October 2021 Update From The Municipal Airport Authority

Posted November 2, 2021

Mask mandate extended through January 18, 2022

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) extended the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through January 18, 2022.

For more information on face mask requirements, click here.

Successful Global Entry workshop

Global Entry is a voluntary expedited clearance initiative for pre-approved low-risk international travelers, who are processed by biometric identification using a designated kiosk, rather than waiting in line for entry processing by a Customs Border and Protection (CBP) officer when entering the U.S. at a participating airport. The kiosks facilitate entry by reducing wait and processing times.

CBP hosted a Global Entry enrollment workshop in Fargo, September 20-22. 97 people were enrolled that week. Watch for more workshop dates in the Spring of 2022.

UPS First Operation

UPS launched their first operation at the new air express facility in Fargo on September 13, at 5:53 p.m. from UPS’s main air hub in Louisville, Kentucky. The Fargo facility will provide approximately 150 jobs, including a mix of part-time and full-time positions. UPS operates 28 arrivals/departures per week.

Quarterly Spotlight: Marc Lepage, Northstar Aviation Insurance

Northstar Aviation Insurance, Inc. is an independent full-service aviation insurance brokerage and is the only firm in North Dakota that specializes in aviation insurance. Northstar was established in 1984 by Marc Lepage and his father, Bob. When Northstar was first established, they had only a handful of clients. Almost 40 years later, they have thousands of clients.

“The business model for Northstar has always been focused on personal service to its customers. We take pride in knowing each and every one of our customers and developing trustworthy business relationships with them. We are very fortunate in what we do,” says Marc.

Whether your aviation insurance needs are for agricultural aerial application, city or state government, business or pleasure, Northstar will obtain competitive quotes to best meet your coverage needs.

Frontier new direct flight to Orlando begins Nov 4th

Frontier Airlines announced a new year-round nonstop route to Orlando, Florida. The new route to Orlando International Airport (MCO) begins November 4, 2021 and will run two times per week, Thursday and Sundays, with flights starting at $69. This is part of 20 new routes for Frontier Airlines.

Snow Removal Equipment building opening

The Airport Authority hosted an open house for the new Snow Removal Equipment (SRE) building on Tuesday October 12, 2021. The expansion of Hector’s snow removal equipment building is to accommodate new equipment and provide additional space for maintenance and staff needs. View more details here.

A Successful Fargo AirSho

The Fargo AirSho is a non-profit organization of 70+ volunteer members that have been producing award winning shows for more than 30 years. The Fargo AirSho took place July 24 & 25, 2021 at Hector International Airport. The US Navy Blue Angels team performed at the AirSho. The precision flight demonstrations showcase the professionalism, excellence and teamwork found in all Navy and Marine Corps units, as well as provide the thrill and magic of flight to people each year. Since its inception, the team has flown for more than 450 million spectators worldwide.

The success of the show has allowed the AirSho committee to make more than $500,000 in contributions to area organizations, including over $250,000 to the Fargo Air Museum. Plans for a 2023 Fargo AirSho are underway.

Grand opening of the Army National Guard facility

Located west of the existing Fargo Armed Forces Reserve building in Fargo, this facility is the new home of the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 191st Military Police Company, and Company D, 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment. With the groundbreaking on August 14, 2019, this facility took two years to build.

The final cost of the Fargo Readiness Center facility is approximately $29 million and consists of a 96,000 square foot readiness center and a 59,000 square foot unheated vehicle storage building.

The Happy Hooligans of the North Dakota Air National Guard’s 119th Wing, hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony for a consolidated operations facility at the Fargo Air Base, Fargo, August 24, 2021. The $17.5 million project, for use by the 119th Operations Group, is scheduled for construction to begin this fall with an expected completion in 2023.

Major General Al Dohrmann presented the N.D National Guard’s Bridge Builder award to Fargo’s Municipal Airport Authority, August 24. The award was in recognition of the Municipal Airport Authority’s continual partnership, support and commitment to the N.D. National Guard’s readiness.

Expansion Projects Underway

The Airport Authority is planning to move ahead on a number of large projects in the near future, including a planned expansion of the terminal at Hector International Airport that would create more gates, as well as a project that would expand parking. The Federal Aviation Administration requires a Terminal Area Study to be completed prior to commencing plans to expand the passenger terminal. The study is expected to be completed in 10 months. This study will guide the Airport Authority as they intend to move forward with a terminal expansion project. This project is expected to add additional boarding gates, passenger seating areas, expand food and beverage options, restrooms and airline operating areas. The estimated cost is not known at this time. The study will provide justification related to size of the expansion and estimated cost. The full list of projects totals over $192 million between today and 2037.

Projects currently underway or to be commenced in 2022 include:

  • Terminal Area Study: $584,131
  • Passenger Boarding Bridge: $500,000 est.
  • Security Access Control System design and construction: $837,980 est.
  • Passenger Terminal HVAC Airborne Pathogen Mitigation Project: $511,141
  • East Economy Parking lot: $600,000 est.
  • Parking Lot Exit Plaza: $1.2 million est.
  • Glycol pump station and force main – design and construction: $2.5 million est.
  • Terminal Apron Reconstruction – design and phase I: $7.75 million est. Phase 2: $7 million 2023
  • Snow Removal Equipment: $750,000 est.

Q3 Boarding Statistics

Hector International Airport is seeing increased traveler numbers. Passenger numbers are exceeding our expectations and continue to increase.

July 2021
Hector International Airport’s airline passenger traffic in July showed an increase when compared to the same month in 2020. In July 2021, the passenger enplanements were 42,871. This is an increase of 165% when compared to the July 2020 passenger enplanements of 16,219.

The total passenger count for the month was 85,358, which is up 165% over the same period last year. There were 610 air carrier departures with an average of 84 seats per flight in July and an average of 2,753 total daily passengers.

August 2021
Hector International Airport’s airline passenger traffic in August showed an increase when compared to the same month in 2020. In August 2021, the passenger enplanements were 38,082. This is an increase of 103% when compared to the August 2020 passenger enplanements of 18,793.

The total passenger count for the month was 76,116, which is up 105% over the same period last year. There were 575 air carrier departures with an average of 82 seats per flight in August and an average of 2,455 total daily passengers.

September 2021
Hector International Airport’s airline passenger traffic in September showed an increase when compared to the same month in 2020. In September 2021, the passenger enplanements were 32,665. This is an increase of 99% when compared to the September 2020 passenger enplanements of 16,449.

The total passenger count for the month was 65,883 which is up 103% over the same period last year. There were 554 air carrier departures with an average of 81 seats per flight in September and an average of 2,196 total daily passengers.