Hardmeyer - City Magazine

| CITY WORKS
Bismarck Air Service
More Destinations, More Connections, More Convenience
Bismarck-area travelers have experienced
many changes in air service over the years.
In the early 1990s, three legacy carriers
(Northwest, Continental and Delta)
provided main-line jet service to three different hubs,
and one might have thought that was the golden age
of air service for Bismarck area travelers.
However, if you look at Bismarck’s air service
picture today, you will be impressed. While not every
flight is a main-line jet, the current flight schedule
provides direct service to six airports, five which are
hubs. Bismarck-area travelers now have direct access
to more destinations than ever before.
Passenger numbers at the Bismarck Airport
reflect the recent air-service enhancements. They, too,
have been growing steadily. We have more airlines
providing more flight options so more people are
using our airport more often.
In 2004, the airport took an important step when
it initiated an incentive program to attract new air
service. Allegiant Air was the first to qualify for the
program by adding their non-stop service to Las Vegas.
This service, as well as Allegiant’s Phoenix/Mesa
service that started in October 2008, have been wildly
successful for both the airline and local travelers. The
Allegiant experience is completely different from the
traditional legacy carrier airline flights that have been
a mainstay at Bismarck for years. Allegiant has been
well received, and the list of destinations is growing.
The legacy carriers are also doing well in
Bismarck. After a successful reorganization,
By Greg Haug, Bismarck airport manager
Northwest Airlines recently merged with Delta,
creating the world’s largest airline. With the two
carriers becoming one, a new name and logo has been
hung on the wall behind the Northwest ticket counter,
and we’ve said goodbye to an old friend that served
this community for over 75 years.
Delta didn’t waste any time making adjustments
to their schedule with their announcement last fall of
Bismarck-to-Salt Lake City service beginning June 4,
2009. You will no longer have to fly to Minneapolis in
order to travel to Los Angeles or Seattle. This is good
for local travelers, and it is an efficient move by the
airline.
United Airlines has been providing reliable
regional jet service to Denver and beyond for years.
In March 2009, it announced new direct service to
Chicago O’Hare starting the same day as Delta’s Salt
Lake City service.
This direct connection to Chicago is great news
for Bismarck-area travelers. We have sought a nonstop
flight to O’Hare because Chicago is one of our
top markets for business travelers. It also provides
great connections to many domestic markets, as well
as international destinations.
As more travelers utilize the Bismarck Airport,
we are able to attract more competitive service to
more destinations. We are on a roll, and we need to
continue to build on this new level of service into
the future. Fly Bismarck–more destinations, more
connections, more convenience.
36 thecitymag.com