Tioga received the North Dakota 2019 General Aviation Airport of the Year award, and Williston received the North Dakota 2019 Commercial Service Airport of the Year award, both sponsored by the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission in partnership with the Airport Association of North Dakota. The awards recognize excellence in community awareness, airport management, special events and beautification projects.

Tioga Municipal Airport helped support the fifth annual Drone Camp, which is STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) certified so students can earn high school education credits.

In 2019, the Tioga Economic Development Corporation secured $20,000 for a private pilot training program. The goal of the program is to help offset the cost of getting a private pilot license for tomorrow’s pilots. Tioga has a certified flight instructor and due to the program, several individuals have already signed up to begin flight training at the airport.

The Tioga airport hosted a soft opening of its new general aviation terminal in fall of 2019. Over the last decade or so the airport has seen an influx of aircraft operations mostly due to the growth of the energy industry. This growth and years of hard work have allowed the airport to expand infrastructure, including an upgraded aircraft fueling system accommodating aviation and jet fuel, taxiway and apron expansions with the ability to accommodate larger aircraft, additional GPS navigation on Runway 12, and the new public terminal, which caters not only to the public but also the business traveler.

Submitted Photo Holding the Williston Basin International Airport’s Commercial Service award are Assistant Director Ryan O’Rear and Director Anthony Dudas, representing the airport. Presenting were North Dakota Aeronautics Commission Executive Director Kyle Wanner, far left, and Airport Association of North Dakota President Matthew Remynse, far right.

The Tioga airport accommodates travelers and businesses through its full service fixed-base operator, Tioga Aero Center. Tioga Aero Center provides trained technicians, full-service jet and aviation fuel, heated hangar space, on-call maintenance, de-icing services, lavatory services, rental cars and more.

The Williston airport had a historical year in 2019 as the airport and community leaders successfully worked through challenges associated with ensuring that a successful transition from 70-year-old Sloulin Field to the new airport site. The Williston Basin International Airport is the first new airport to open in North Dakota since the Bowman airport was relocated in 2015 and the first new commercial service “greenfield” airport to be built in the United States since 2011.

The project also set a record for the fastest amount of time that a new “greenfield” airport has been built in the modern era as it only took eight years from the start of the planning effort to the opening of the new airport. The new airport features a commercial terminal with three boarding bridges and ability to expand to accommodate additional bridges, a runway with ability to accommodate larger aircraft, a restaurant and lounge, ample passenger seating, children’s play area, mother’s care area, increased general aviation areas and a full-service fixed-base operator, Overland Aviation.

Over the past year, the Williston Airport supported several community events. The airport was active in Marketplace for Kids, the Williston Convention and Visitor Bureau Easter Egg Hunt and the annual Band Day Parade. Through these events, the airport displayed airport equipment and educated people about the airport.

The airport also hosted the final major event at Sloulin Field the annual Williston Fly-In. The fly-in event includes aircraft displays and rides, a pancake breakfast, laser tag, bounce castle and fire truck displays.

Airport staff dedicated many hours to educating high school students, service clubs, nonprofit organizations and others about the transition from Sloulin to Williston Basin.

Other events the airport hosted were VIP Day at the new airport, Community Day and the Greater North Dakota Chamber CEO Roundtable. Over 4,000 people were in attendance for the VIP and Community Day events, including the Williston High School cross country team, which practiced on the new runway before opening the new airport.

Throughout 2019, The airport also saw a nearly 20% increase in airline passenger boardings from 2018. The City of Williston is actively working to attract and expand airline service destinations.