Scott Cruise, manager of the Devils Lake Regional Airport, and Todd Heilman at the April 18 Devils Lake Kiwanis club meeting.
Scott Cruise attended Tuesday’s Kiwanis Club meeting to give an update on the Devils Lake Regional Airport and their expansion project.
Cruise began, “It all began with a grant request from the Federal Government for help funding a number of capitol improvement projects.”
What they received was a grant of $16 Million. Cruise explained the amount of the grant was more than expected, “Way more!”
After making sure it wasn’t a mistake, Cruise and the Airport Authority received assurance that they would be able to keep the award of $16M but they had to spend it by June 30, 2024 – “use it or lose it!”
So they got to work, planning how to spend the money. They determined the most critial needs were to expand the ARF to include vital snow removal equipment, expanding and resurfacing the parking lot, a new high-speed runway broom, expanding and repairing the taxi-way, apron reconstruction and improvements to the terminal.
As they did their due diligence, in the planning process, they found that the costs had increased far beyond what they’d expected, they would have to modify their plans.
Cruise stated the plans now are to expand the terminal’s area where passengers, who have gone through screening will be in a holding area that includes restroom facilities, a mother’s room, vending machines and is more spacious than current space allowed. The TSA passenger scanners will be upgraded with an x-ray machine so detailed it is something more like a CT scanning machine. There will also be a passenger boarding bridge adding to the comfort and convenience for people using the local airport.
The airport’s Essential Air Contract expires at the end of June and they (Cruise and the Airport Authority) are deeply into negotiations with SkyWest Air and maybe other providers to continue to offer regular flights in and out of Devils Lake. A number of possibilities are being discussed. One of the major problems holding up negotiations is the pilot shortage, something that has continued since the outset of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Cruise said they had a very positive experience with the current provider, Sky West Air and hope they will continue to provide service to the Devils Lake Region Airport, however, there are other providers looking at us as well. Cruise did state that they had the best March they’ve ever had, as far as numbers were concerned. Funding for the airport is dependent upon the numbers and if they can reach the goal of 10,000 + it would mean a significant rise in what the airport receives, so he encourages everyone who is thinking of flying, to use our airport.
