10.24.12

Delegation Announces American Airlines Nonstop Service Between Fargo and Dallas-Fort Worth

Senators, Congressman Worked to Secure U.S. DOT Air Service Development Grant

FARGO, N.D. – Senators John Hoeven and Kent Conrad and Congressman Rick Berg today announced that American Airlines is adding daily, nonstop regional jet service between Fargo and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) beginning in Feb. 14, 2013. Dallas-Fort Worth is the second most traveled city for American from Fargo, behind only Chicago. The new flight will eliminate the need for travelers to connect through Chicago to Dallas-Fort Worth.

To implement the new flights, the Fargo Airport Authority is using approximately $750,000 from a U.S. Department of Transportation Small Community Air Service Development Grant that the delegation worked to secure for the city last year. The grant was matched by $250,000 in local match. The Fargo Airport Authority, Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation, Fargo Moorhead Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and The Chamber are partners in the project.

Fargo boardings were up by nearly 3.5 percent in 2012 over 2011 overall, and Dallas-Fort Worth is a growing market, as well as a gateway hub to the southern United States, Mexico, Central and South America and Asia. DFW is the largest of American’s five domestic hubs offering more than 740 departures to nearly 170 cities in Asia, Europe, North America and South America.

Senator Hoeven pushed for the ratification earlier this year of the Colombia and Panama free trade agreements, which will create more than $1 billion in increased trade activity for the United States. Senator Conrad also supported ratification of the agreements. Machinery and equipment is expected to be one of the largest export sectors by value for U.S. companies. Total North Dakota exports to Colombia grew by more than 300 percent between 1997 and 2010, and are expected to accelerate with passage of the new trade agreement.

“Economic development is essential to North Dakota, and the Fargo-Moorhead region is a growth engine for the state,” the delegation said. “In order to create a business friendly climate that supports growth, we and community leaders have been working aggressively to increase the level of air service into Hector International Airport, including Dallas-Fort Worth.”

Both Delta and United Airlines have recently announced new non-stop service between Williston and Minneapolis and Williston and Denver respectively. Delta Air Lines is currently exploring the possibility of purchasing North Dakota crude oil to use at the company’s recently acquired Philadelphia-based refinery. Delta is the only major U.S. carrier that owns its own refinery to produce the jet fuel needed to operate its fleet.

In addition to representatives of the delegation offices, present for today’s announcement were American Airlines Regional Manager for Business Development and Sales Paige Teel, West Fargo Mayor Rich Mattern, Hector International Airport Manager Shawn Dobberstein, Greater Fargo Moorhead Economic Development President Jim Gartin, Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber of Commerce President Craig Whitney, Fargo-Moorhead Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Director of Sports Steve Saxlund and members of the Fargo Airport Authority Board.