by April Scheinoha
Reporter
Area residents are flying high with Denver Air Connection. Last year, a 20-year high of 13,370 passengers flew with Denver Air in Thief River Falls.
Thief River Falls Council member Curt Howe made the announcement at the Thief River Falls City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 1. Howe serves on the Thief River Falls Regional Airport Authority Board.
In an interview with the Northern Watch, Airport Manager Joe Hedrick said they’re excited about the number of passengers choosing to use the airport for their transportation needs.
The airport averaged 9,510 passengers between 2016 and 2021. The year 2020 dragged the average down a bit since COVID led to fewer passengers. That year, there were only 4,966 passengers.
However, 2021 proved to be a banner year. The 2021 numbers were the highest since 2000, according to Hedrick.
Hedrick is hopeful that additional passengers will choose the Thief River Falls Regional Airport in 2022. He was optimistic that the airport would reach 16,000 passengers if the last seven months were any indication. Once the airport reaches 16,000 passengers, it would be eligible for an additional $450,000 in entitlements that may be used to cover eligible expenses. If the airport reaches 20,000 passengers, entitlements would increase to $1 million per year. It would also put the airport in line with the Bemidji, Duluth and International Falls airports.
Denver Air has provided passenger air service at the airport since June 2020. It is ready to provide air service here for the next five years. The Airport Authority Board is happy to oblige if the U.S. Department of Transportation agrees. Denver Air is seeking $5.8 million per year in Essential Air Service funding. That money is a subsidy to enable the airline to provide air service here. If approved, Denver Air would provide air service as part of a five-year contract with a 3% annual escalator for years two through five of the contract.
The Airport Authority Board recommended the five-year contract to the DOT, said Hedrick, who noted that the board has usually recommended a two- or three-year EAS contract.
“They are really doing a great job for us,” Hedrick said.
If approved, the new EAS contract would begin June 1.
Agreement with
American Airlines
Passenger numbers may be aided by a new interline agreement between Denver Air and American Airlines. The airlines recently signed an interline agreement enabling passengers to book their flights on the American Airlines website and receive one airline ticket for their flights. Passengers’ checked bags will also be seamlessly transferred between their American Airlines and Denver Air flights. Denver Air already has an interline agreement with United.
Cargo hangar
Work progresses on a 27,000 square-foot cargo hangar south of the fuel farm at the airport. The Airport Authority has already received $5.5 million in state bonding proceeds for the project. It needs an additional $7.5 million for the two-bay hangar.
Hedrick has requested $7.5 million in federal appropriations for the project. He has learned that the request passed the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee and is headed to the full Appropriations Committee. Hedrick is hopeful that the Airport Authority will receive the full amount requested.
If the Airport Authority doesn’t receive its full request, Hedrick has already requested an additional $7.5 million in state bonding proceeds.
The hangar will have enough space to park two CRJ-200 aircraft. In 2020, IFL Group transitioned to those larger aircraft to transport packages on behalf of both FedEx and UPS at the airport. IFL Group plans to lease space in the new cargo hangar. The current hangar would then be used by other tenants.
Initially, the Airport Authority planned to build a three-bay hangar. Due to increased costs associated with the project, it was pared down to a two-bay hangar. However, the Airport Authority envisions that the hangar will feature a third bay in the future. The current project includes a concrete apron that will be large enough to support a future third bay.
If the federal funding request were approved, Hedrick anticipated that construction would start by fall. Completion is expected in late fall 2022 or early winter 2023.
This article previously erroneously indicated that the airport would be eligible for an additional $150,000 in entitlements if it reached 16,000 passengers. That amount is what the airport currently receives.