Grand Forks Airport: Does It Exist?

Yes, there is an airport in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. The Grand Forks International Airport (GFK) is a public airport located five miles (8 km) northwest of Grand Forks, in Grand Forks County, North Dakota. It is North Dakota's busiest commercial airport and the Northern Red River Valley's doorway to the world. The airport offers direct flights to Las Vegas, Phoenix/Mesa, and Orlando, with multiple daily flights to Minneapolis/St. Paul, providing connections to destinations worldwide. GFK is known for its aviation safety, customer satisfaction, and passenger convenience, with around-the-clock flight operations. Additionally, the city of Grand Forks, British Columbia, Canada, also owns and operates a municipal airport with a 4,300-foot runway and terminal facilities.

Grand Forks International Airport (GFK)

GFK is a non-hub, primary commercial service airport that offers direct flights to destinations within the United States, including Las Vegas, Phoenix/Mesa, Orlando/Sanford, and Minneapolis/St. Paul. The airport is served by airlines such as Allegiant Air and Delta Connection, with the latter providing multiple daily flights to Minneapolis and beyond.

Grand Forks International Airport covers 1,618 acres (655 ha) and features four runways. The airport is known for its aviation safety, customer satisfaction, and passenger convenience, making it a popular choice for travellers from the Northern Red River Valley region. The airport is also recognised for its inexpensive parking and well-maintained facilities.

In addition to commercial flights, GFK is also utilised by the University of North Dakota's John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences for various operations and training programs. The university occupies several hangars and buildings at the airport, including a flight operations centre and a maintenance centre.

The airport has undergone several upgrades and improvements over the years, including the construction of a new passenger terminal in 2011, addressing structural and safety concerns of the previous terminal. GFK continues to expand and enhance its facilities, with plans to extend runway 9L/27R and open a new Customs and Border Protection facility.

Direct flights to Las Vegas, Phoenix/Mesa, and Orlando

Grand Forks International Airport (GFK) is North Dakota's busiest commercial airport and offers direct flights to several destinations, including Las Vegas, Phoenix/Mesa, and Orlando.

Direct Flights to Las Vegas

Las Vegas is one of the most popular destinations served by Grand Forks International Airport. Allegiant Air offers direct flights to Las Vegas, providing affordable and convenient leisure travel options for passengers. With its low fares and nonstop service, Allegiant has become a popular choice for travellers looking for a quick escape to the entertainment capital of the world.

Direct Flights to Phoenix/Mesa

Grand Forks International Airport also offers direct flights to Phoenix/Mesa, providing easy access to the scenic deserts and vibrant cities of Arizona. Allegiant Air operates these direct flights, making travel to Phoenix/Mesa convenient and affordable for leisure seekers and business travellers alike.

Direct Flights to Orlando

For those seeking sunshine and theme park thrills, Grand Forks International Airport offers direct flights to Orlando, often referred to as Orlando/Sanford. Allegiant Air provides direct connections to this popular Florida destination, making it easy for travellers to explore world-famous attractions, including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort.

Grand Forks International Airport is committed to providing a range of travel options for its customers, and these direct flights to Las Vegas, Phoenix/Mesa, and Orlando are just a few examples of the convenient services they offer. With a focus on aviation safety, customer satisfaction, and passenger convenience, GFK is an excellent gateway for travellers from the Northern Red River Valley region and beyond.

The airport's FAA control tower

Grand Forks International Airport (GFK) is a public airport located five miles (8 km) northwest of Grand Forks, in Grand Forks County, North Dakota. In this relatively small yet highly-rated airport, you'll find the FAA GFK Tower, which was the 23rd busiest in the nation in 2009, with 346,165 tower operations.

The airport is owned by the Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority, a public, non-profit organisation established as a joint partnership between Grand Forks County and the City of Grand Forks. The Airport Authority consists of a seven-member Board of Commissioners appointed by the Mayor of Grand Forks and the Grand Forks County Commission.

The FAA control tower at Grand Forks International Airport plays a crucial role in managing the busy flight operations of the airport, ensuring efficient and safe aircraft movement. The tower's operations include coordinating take-offs and landings, providing essential information to pilots, and maintaining overall airspace safety in the region.

In addition to the control tower, the airport has undergone several upgrades and developments over the years, including the construction of a new passenger terminal, the Byron L Dorgan Terminal, which opened in 2011. The airport also offers direct flights to various destinations, such as Las Vegas, Phoenix/Mesa, Orlando/Sanford, and Minneapolis/St. Paul, providing convenient travel options for passengers.

Airport facilities and specifications

Grand Forks Airport, also known as Grand Forks International Airport, is a public airport located five miles (8 km) northwest of Grand Forks, in Grand Forks County, North Dakota. The airport is owned by the Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority and is located on U.S. Highway 2, around four miles (6 km) west of Interstate 29.

The airport has terminal facilities, aircraft fuel (Jet A and Avgas) for sale, and a part-time attendant available via phone call. The airport's facilities include a 4,300-foot runway, with two taxiways and aprons. A non-directional beacon (NDB) is located east of Taxiway B. The airport is equipped with 24 airport landing lights, providing 24-hour access for emergency night flights, making it the only one of its category (Transport Canada Registered Aerodrome) between Kelowna and Cranbrook.

The airport has numerous private aircraft hangars located on city-owned property, with available space for more hangars. The Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority has also recently constructed an 18-unit T-Hangar, accommodating aircraft up to 29 feet long and with a wingspan of 38 feet.

The airport's original passenger terminal, built in 1964, had ticketing counters, a restaurant, a gift shop, and a waiting area. However, due to structural and safety issues, a new passenger terminal was constructed and opened in 2011. The new terminal, named the Byron L Dorgan Terminal, is a two-story building with ticketing counters, a baggage claim carousel, and rental car agencies. The first floor features an inline checked baggage screening system, while the second floor houses offices, a TSA security checkpoint, and a waiting area for the airport's gates.

Grand Forks International Airport covers 1,618 acres (655 ha) and has four runways:

• Runway 9L/27R: 4,206 ft × 100 ft (1,282 m × 30 m), concrete
• Runway 17L/35R: 3,901 ft × 75 ft (1,189 m × 23 m), concrete
• Runway 17R/35L: 7,351 ft × 150 ft (2,241 m × 46 m), asphalt
• Runway 9R/27L: 3,300 ft × 60 ft (1,006 m × 18 m), concrete

The airport is currently in a multi-phase development program that includes extending runway 9L/27R by 2,500 feet to the west and reconstructing the existing portion, with an expected completion date of Fall 2024.

Airlines and destinations

Grand Forks International Airport (GFK) is a public airport located five miles northwest of Grand Forks, North Dakota. The airport offers multiple daily flights to Minneapolis/St. Paul, with connecting flights to other destinations.

Delta Air Lines

Delta offers multiple daily flights with all-jet service from Grand Forks to Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP), with connections to the rest of the world. Delta recommends that passengers arrive at least 75 minutes before their scheduled departure time, and check-in closes 35 minutes prior to departure.

Allegiant Air

Allegiant offers direct flights from Grand Forks to Las Vegas (LAS), Phoenix/Mesa (IWA), and Orlando/Sanford (SFB). The Orlando/Sanford route is seasonal. Allegiant uses Airbus A320-214s and Airbus A319-111s for these routes. The airline provides affordable and convenient leisure travel with low fares and nonstop service. Allegiant recommends that passengers arrive at least two hours before their scheduled departure time, and check-in closes 45 minutes prior to departure.

United Airlines

United Airlines briefly operated a route between Denver and Grand Forks from October 2012 to December 2013 but terminated the service due to low load factors.

FedEx Express

FedEx Express was the second-largest employer at the airport until October 2016, when it moved its operations to Fargo's Hector International Airport.

Other Services

In addition to the airlines mentioned above, the airport also provides services such as car rentals, a restaurant, and a gift shop. The Red River Valley Tap House, located in the passenger terminal, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and features a full bar and specialty coffee drinks. The airport is also home to the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota, which accounts for about 90% of all operations at GFK.

Frequently asked questions