A new modern airport has opened in Williston, N.D. that should give residents another option when it comes to flying into the United States from Canada.
Williston Basin International Airport (XWA), located 16 kilometres (10 miles) northwest of that city, opened recently at a cost of $273 million, with the ground-up construction project marking the fastest commercial service airport relocation in the Midwest since the Second World War.
“The delivery of this airport in just three years is nothing short of extraordinary, thanks to the meticulous planning, advocacy and funding by our passionate project partners,” said XWA director Anthony Dudas in a news release.
“From our Senators in Washington, D.C., to Williston city officials, investors, and our community members, XWA airport was developed through unique partnerships cultivated to support and maintain the timeline and funding required to make this airport a reality for the region.”
The 64-hectare (1,600-acre) XWA airport is functionally replacing Williston’s former Sloulin Field International Airport (ISN), listed as one of the 10 fastest-growing airports in the nation. Built in 1947, the aging ISN airport exhibited outdated safety and design guidelines characterized by today’s modern airport, the news release said.
XWA airport is 9,000 square metres (100,000 square feet) — almost 10 times the size of its predecessor — and designed to serve as a “right-sized” airport to meet the region’s needs, allowing flexibility for future expansion demands.
“Transportation is a vital part of economic development and XWA airport is the next step towards ensuring northwest North Dakota continues to grow and thrive,” said Williston Mayor Howard Klug. “Williston’s booming oil and energy industries have contributed to the increase in opportunities here, resulting in a strong economy that has brought a lot of people to the region. I have no doubt that XWA airport will continue to drive traffic and generate business for the region.”
XWA airport includes modern amenities for today’s travellers, including four gates and three passenger boarding bridges that provide protection from the elements, a 50-seat full-service bar and restaurant, grab-and-go snacks and beverages, a gift shop featuring local artisan craftsmanship, a full children’s play area, and private nursing rooms.
“Prior to the completion of XWA airport, the region was lacking the capacity, ease and essential airport amenities necessary to inspire travellers flying in and out of Williston,” said Don Cardon, CEO of Cardon Global, the owner’s representative on the project.
“In designing a vision for the airport to serve the region for decades to come, we’ve collectively tried to anticipate the needs of today’s travellers. That means providing an amazing mix of amenities, access, comfort and enjoyment to make the process of air travel much more enjoyable and productive moving forward.”
United and Delta, which currently serve the Williston region, have agreed to each replace one 50-seat aircraft with larger planes to accommodate additional travellers. United will have a 76-seat ERJ-175 and Delta Airlines will have a 70-seat CRJ-700. Both aircraft will also feature a first-class section for an enhanced in-flight experience. New routes to destinations like Salt Lake City, Houston, Las Vegas and Phoenix are all under consideration for improved leisure and business travel options.
Unfortunately for Saskatchewan travellers, neither United nor Delta flies planes out of the Regina International Airport (YQR) any longer. Therefore, anyone interested in flying into Williston will have to fly from either the airport in Calgary or Winnipeg.
The project construction and co-ordination team is led by Fargo, N.D.,-based Ulteig Engineering and Grand Forks, N.D.,-based AE2S. Phoenix-based Cardon Global was retained by the City of Williston to serve as an owner’s representative. For more information, visit www.xwaproject.com.
