Dickinson (ND) airport experiences record-breaking month

Amid a tight economy and failing airlines, Dickinson’s Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport is seeing an abundance of activity and airline officials say contrary to popular belief, there are ways to save on airfare.

October was a record month for the airport, having enplaned 980 passengers, beating December’s record of 975 passengers, said airport manager Matt Remynse during an airport meeting at Dickinson’s City Hall on Wednesday morning.

An increase in oil activity has kept the airport’s general aviation busy, and with recent hunting seasons, Remynse estimates airport activity to be up 10 to 15 percent for November.

“That industry (hunting) has continued to do well for us with the outfitters in southwestern North Dakota,” Remynse said.

With the increase in airport business, a terminal expansion project is also in the works.

“What a good problem for you to have, to outgrow your terminal already,” said Mary Osborne, regional sales manager for Great Lakes Airlines, the airport’s servicing airline.

The airport terminal’s sterile area is designed to handle 12 to 14 people. However, some flights have considerably higher numbers.

Remynse said airport officials will be meeting with architects next month and construction will begin next spring.

In the last two years, several essential air service airlines closed, including Regions Air, Skyway, Big Sky Air and Air Midwest, said Osborne.

“We are the last guy standing, as far as the essential air service goes,” Osborne said.

Great Lakes Airlines CEO Chuck Howell said although the airline industry as a whole is down 15 to 20 percent, the company has made a profit.

“We’re healthy, obviously we’re not without challenges,” Howell said. “We too have experienced a lack of source of capital to grow or to add additional aircraft, but short of that, things have been going extremely well for us. Our biggest competitor is the car.”

Howell noted the area’s bustling economy.

“Communities like you where you’re up on a year-over-year basis, speaks to the strong economy you have here locally,” he said. “We feel good about the community and where you are in your growth and the enthusiasm we see here … We’re going to be here for the long haul and watch you grow.”

Though many area residents drive to Bismarck for what appears to be a cheaper airfare, Osborne said often the smaller, forgotten costs such as parking and baggage are not taken into consideration.

Most airlines now charge a baggage fee. However, Great Lakes Airlines allows two checked bags and one carry-on bag free of charge.

Osborne said she does not foresee this changing anytime soon.

The airport also offers free long-term parking, Remynse said.

Osborne said the number one way to secure the lowest fare is to let a travel agent do the work.

“It has become very time consuming to purchase a ticket,” Osborne said.

Often, outside Web sites are used to purchase what is called a through-fare, a trip from origin to destination on one ticket.

Osborne said a different booking method may save additional money.

By purchasing a sum of two locals, a ticket from Dickinson to Denver, then an additional ticket from Denver to a final destination, money can be saved, sometimes a considerable amount.

Osborne stressed the importance of checking airline baggage agreements if one is going to use this method, adding Great Lakes Airlines has agreements with most major carriers, excluding Northwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines Inc. and Southwest Airlines Inc.

“That is going to most likely be your least expensive price,” Osborne said. “It’s a very time consuming thing.”

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