Falls International Airport plays a critical role in Borderland. It gets visitors, residents, and the staff of agencies and companies where they need to go and back.
News that Delta Airlines, the only commercial carrier providing services at the community’s airport, will end its service is disappointing and concerning.
Yet we are bolstered by comments made this week by airport officials, who remind visitors and residents that Delta will continue to provide service here until another airlines takes its place.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has 90 days to work with the city, county and airport commission to replace the airline. However, the U.S. DOT has the power to extend the 90-day window as many times as it needs, according to Susan Baratono, administrative assistant for the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission.
Clearly, keeping commercial air service is crucial to the economic health of our community. And people like Bob Anderson, chairman of the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission, have worked hard to maintain and improve air service here.
Anderson and other members of the commission say they’ll keep working hard to ensure that quality air service continues to be available to the International Falls community.
Already, Great Lakes Aviation has expressed interest in bidding to take over airline service in International Falls. If Great Lakes Aviation won the bid, it would use a Beachcraft 1900 plane. Baratono has said that this size plan may help the airport to be more profitable.
We share Baratono’s optimism and believe Anderson when he says that airport officials will make sure the next airline at the Falls International Airport will serve the community well.
Like Baratono said, change always brings worry and difficulties. But in this case, it could be a good thing.
