Fargo, Minnesota: Airport Or No?

Fargo, North Dakota is served by Hector International Airport, located 3 miles (5 km) northwest of the city. The airport is named after Martin Hector, who first leased and then donated the original 50 acres of land to the city. Hector International Airport is served by five major airlines and offers nonstop jet service to several US cities.

Fargo's Hector International Airport

Hector International Airport covers 2,500 acres (10 km2) and has three runways. The longest runway is 9,001 feet (2,744 m) long, making it the longest public runway in North Dakota, capable of receiving Boeing 747s. The airport is served by five major airlines: Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, and United. These airlines provide nonstop jet service to several destinations across the United States, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Orlando-Sanford, and Phoenix-Mesa. Some of these routes are seasonal.

The airport is home to the Fargo Air National Guard Base and the Happy Hooligans of the 119th Wing, a unit of the North Dakota Air National Guard operating the MQ-9 Reaper. In terms of operations, the airport handled 92,980 aircraft movements in the year ending December 31, 2021, averaging 255 movements per day. As of December 2021, there were 203 aircraft based at the airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, and helicopter categories.

The current terminal was constructed in 1986, with a major expansion and update completed in 2008 at a cost of $15.5 million. TSA PreCheck was introduced in 2014. Looking ahead, the airport has plans for a significant terminal expansion project, expected to begin in 2024. This project will add four new gates, bringing the total to nine, and is estimated to cost $124 million. Additionally, a parking garage with approximately 1,000 spaces is planned to be constructed adjacent to the terminal, with a projected cost of $43 million.

Airlines that fly from Fargo

Yes, Fargo, North Dakota, does have an airport. Hector International Airport is served by five major airlines: Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, and United. These airlines offer nonstop jet services to several destinations, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Orlando-Sanford, and Phoenix-Mesa. Some of these routes are seasonal.

Allegiant

Allegiant Air LLC, often referred to as Allegiant, is a low-cost carrier that serves many destinations across the United States. They are known for their affordable prices and have a strong presence in leisure travel destinations.

American

American Airlines is one of the major carriers in the United States. They offer an extensive network of flights, both domestic and international, and are known for their reliability and comprehensive service offerings.

Delta

Delta Air Lines is another major American carrier. They have a strong presence in Fargo, offering nonstop flights to various destinations. Delta is known for its on-time performance, with a 91% rate from Fargo to Minneapolis.

Frontier

Frontier Airlines is a low-cost carrier that provides service across the United States and to some international destinations. They offer affordable prices and have a strong presence in Fargo, with nonstop flights to several cities.

United

United Airlines is a full-service carrier and one of the largest airlines in the United States. They offer a wide range of destinations and are known for their comprehensive in-flight services and amenities.

Fargo to Minneapolis flights

Fargo does have an airport, the Hector International Airport, which is served by five major airlines: Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, and United. These airlines provide non-stop flights to nine cities, including Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Flights from Fargo to Minneapolis are available from a number of airlines, including Delta, Frontier, and American Airlines. The average price of a round-trip flight is $239, while one-way flights start at $70. Direct flights from Fargo to Minneapolis take about 1 hour and 17 minutes.

When booking a flight from Fargo to Minneapolis, it is good to know that:

• The cheapest month to fly is June, while the most expensive months are March and December.
• Booking 28-35 days in advance for domestic flights is usually the best time to get a good deal.
• Tuesday is the cheapest day to depart, followed by Thursday, while Friday is the most expensive.
• The earliest flight from Fargo to Minneapolis is at 5:00 am, and the latest is at 5:37 pm.
• The most common departure times are between 7:00 am and 8:00 am.

Fargo Airport history

Fargo in North Dakota is served by Hector International Airport, named after Martin Hector who first leased and then donated the original 50 acres of land on which the airport stands. The airport is located three miles northwest of the city and is the busiest airport in North Dakota.

The Pioneer Days: 1927-1953

On September 9, 1927, Martin Hector leased a quarter-section of land at the northwest corner of Fargo to the city for five years at $1 per year. On April 9, 1931, Hector gifted the land to the city of Fargo. In later years, Hector and his daughter-in-law, Mrs Fred M. (Margaret) Hector, donated several more parcels, totalling almost 50 acres.

Although the first successful airplane flight in Fargo took place in 1911, it wasn't at Hector Airport. The first scheduled weekly flights into Fargo began on February 1, 1928, by Northwest Airlines. This was a Minneapolis to Winnipeg flight with a stop in Fargo. However, the service was suspended after three months due to opposition from the Canadian government.

On February 3, 1931, Northwest Airways began its first passenger service to Fargo. A six-passenger Hamilton Metal plane arrived at the new Fargo Airport to inaugurate air service from Minneapolis to Grand Forks and then on to Winnipeg.

On May 27, 1931, Fargo's Municipal Airport, Hector Field, was dedicated. More than 5,000 Fargo residents attended the dedication, with roads to the airport "choked" with cars and planes flying overhead.

Hector Airport: 1953-1986

In 1953, a new terminal and administration building were built for $400,000. When the city built a new terminal in 1986, the old building became an aviation office complex and is now home to the Civil Air Patrol Headquarters.

Hector International Airport: 1986-Present

The current terminal was built in 1986, with the terminal facility moving to the west central area of the airport grounds. In 1982, Hector Field became Hector International Airport, and in 1985, U.S. Customs opened an office on the airfield.

In October 2006, the airport began a passenger terminal expansion and update project, which was completed in 2008. The project added a fifth gate and a third baggage claim, and expanded the security checkpoint area.

In 2022, the airport began planning another expansion project to add four more gates and update the existing areas within the terminal. The project is expected to be completed in early 2027.

Hector International Airport is served by five major airlines: Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, and United. In 2023, the airport had its busiest year ever, with over one million total passengers travelling through.

Fargo Airport facilities

Fargo, North Dakota is served by Hector International Airport, located 3 miles (5 km) northwest of the city in Cass County. The airport is named after Martin Hector, who originally leased and then donated the land to the city.

Airlines

Hector International Airport is served by five major airlines: Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, and United. These airlines provide nonstop jet services to several destinations across the United States.

Destinations

The airport offers nonstop jet services to the following cities:

• Atlanta
• Chicago
• Dallas
• Denver
• Las Vegas
• Los Angeles
• Minneapolis/St. Paul
• Nashville
• Orlando-Sanford
• Phoenix-Mesa
• Phoenix-Sky Harbor
• St. Pete-Clearwater
• Indicates seasonal destinations.

Facilities

The airport has three runways:

• 18/36: 9,001 x 150 ft (2,744 x 46 m)
• 9/27: 6,302 x 100 ft (1,921 x 30 m)
• 13/31: 3,801 x 75 ft (1,159 x 46 m)

Hector International has the longest public runway in North Dakota and can accommodate large aircraft such as the Boeing 747.

The airport features a passenger terminal, which underwent a $15.5 million expansion and update project in 2008, adding a fifth gate, an additional baggage claim area, and an expanded security checkpoint. TSA PreCheck was introduced in 2014. A large terminal expansion project is planned to begin in 2024, adding four new gates and a parking garage.

Hector International Airport offers convenient and affordable parking options, with both short-term and long-term parking available. Passengers can pre-book their parking stays for a seamless travel experience.

Ground Transportation

As of 2022, there is no public transit service directly to the airport. The closest MATBUS bus stop is over a mile away. However, various ground transportation options are available to and from the airport.

Frequently asked questions