A survey launched via email today and another that has already begun are intended to gather information about the needs of the people who use commercial air service offered at the Falls International Airport.
Today, email blasts inviting participation in an online survey will be sent to members of the Fort Frances and International Falls chambers of commerce and contacts with the Koochiching Economic Development Authority.
The email survey is being conducted by Minnesota Management and Budget, on behalf of the Minnesota Department of Transportation Aeronautics & Aviation. The survey is one of several being conducted by the state on regional airports in the state.
“The idea is to find out as broadly as possible what each community needs from its commercial air service: what is helpful, what is hurtful, the size of the aircraft, different destinations besides the Twin Cities,” said Susan Baratono, executive secretary of the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission.
Baratono stressed that the information is important as airport officials move forward and she encouraged people to participate in the survey.
The state survey goes live today at https://www.mmb. state.mn.us/mad/surveys/INL/ and everyone may participate.
While Baratono said state officials have their own uses for the information gained by the survey, local officials will be aided in their drive to improve offerings at the Falls airport.
“From our point of view, whatever information this comes up with will help us,” she said. “This is challenging times in terms of air service, so the more we know, the better off we are.”
Other survey
The other survey, an invitation which will be sent via direct mailing, is being conducted by the commission in connection with an update of its master plan and as it formulates a comprehensive marketing plan for the airport.
In conjunction with consultants Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., the mailing sent Dec. 29 to selected households in the region in the United States invites people to participate in an online survey. Cards are expected to be sent to Ontario residents soon. The mailing is being sent to people more likely to use airports.
Baratono said she’s worried that people will believe they are participating in both online surveys by responding to just one of them.
She urges people to take part in both surveys, if they have received a mailing card.
“There are two separate links with two separate surveys,” she explained. “They are not redundant. The state is looking for more broader information on airport services; SEH is looking for very specific information: who drives to the airport, who does not and why.”
Baratono said the involvement of the local chambers on both sides of the border and the KEDA makes the state survey a community effort.
“We want to let people know we really want to hear from them,” she said. “The message is we’re all in this together.”
Baratono said airport officials understand there are a variety of reasons people are not getting on planes. “That’s what we want to know,” she said.
Meanwhile, Baratono said officials are still waiting to hear from the U.S. Department of Transportation about a proposal by Great Lakes Aviation to provide commercial air service to the Falls International Airport.
“U.S. DOT is working with Great Lakes to try to come up with an arrangement that will provide additional seats during the summer,” she relayed from a U.S. DOT official.
In the meantime, Delta continues to provide service at the local airport.
