Williston Basin International Airport

{{About|the current airport open since 2019|the airport previously serving Williston, North Dakota|Sloulin Field International Airport}}

{{Infobox airport

| name = Williston Basin International Airport

| image = Logo of Williston Basin International Airport.png

| image-width =

| image_alt = Logo of Williston Basin International Airport

| IATA = XWA

| ICAO = KXWA

| FAA = XWA

| WMO =

| type = Public

| owner-oper = City of Williston, North Dakota{{cite web | url=http://www.flywilliston.net/ | title=FONSI/ROD for Williston Basin International Airport | work=Federal Aviation Administration | date=September 2015 | access-date=October 15, 2016 | quote=The current airport (Sloulin Field International Airport – ISN) and proposed replacement airport (Williston Basin International Airport – XWA) will be owned and operated by the City of Williston. | page=2}}

| city-served = Williston, North Dakota

| opened = October 10, 2019

| location =

| elevation-f = 2,353

| coordinates = {{coord|48|15|35|N|103|45|02|W|display=inline,title}}

| pushpin_map = USA North Dakota#USA

| pushpin_relief = yes

| pushpin_label = XWA

| website = {{URL|http://www.flywilliston.net/}}

| r1-number = 04/22

| r1-length-f = 4,502

| r1-surface = Concrete

| r2-number = 14/32

| r2-length-f = 7,503

| r2-surface = Concrete

| stat-year = 2020

| stat1-header = Passenger volume

| stat1-data = 62,000

| stat2-header = Scheduled flights

| stat2-data = 1,153

| stat5-header = Based aircraft (2022)

| stat5-data = 32

| footnotes = Source: Federal Aviation Administration,{{FAA-airport|ID=XWA|use=PU|own=PU|site=27013.1*A}}, effective July 13, 2023. BTS

}}

Williston Basin International Airport {{airport codes|XWA|KXWA|XWA}} is an airport serving Williston, a city in the U.S. state of North Dakota. It is located 9 nautical miles (17km) northwest of the city.

Williston Basin Airport has two runways and a {{convert|110000|sqft|adj=on}} terminal building. It was built to replace Sloulin Field International Airport, which previously served Williston and had experienced difficulty dealing with the increase in air traffic to Williston amid the North Dakota oil boom. The airport opened to the public on October 10, 2019.{{cite web | url=https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/08/29/2019-18577/notice-of-permanent-closure-sloulin-field-international-airport-williston-nd | title=Notice of Permanent Closure; Sloulin Field International Airport, Williston, ND | work=Federal Register | date=August 29, 2019 | access-date = September 13, 2019}}

History

The airport previously serving Williston was Sloulin Field International Airport. Sloulin Field Airport dealt with design concerns, constraints on expansion, and the need for runway works. In addition, the airport had difficulty coping with a significant rise in air traffic amid the North Dakota oil boom.{{cite web | url=http://www.xwaproject.com/usrfiles/cp/Final_XWA_Master_Plan_5-16.pdf | title=Williston Basin International Airport Master Plan | work=KLJ | date=April 2016 | access-date=October 15, 2016 | pages=2–3}}

In 2011, officials began to consider either making renovations to Sloulin Field or building a new airport.{{cite news|url=http://www.wdaz.com/news/north-dakota/4133854-williston-breaks-ground-new-240-million-airport|title=Williston breaks ground on new $240 million airport|date=October 11, 2016|work=WDAZ-TV|access-date=October 12, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161018202850/http://www.wdaz.com/news/north-dakota/4133854-williston-breaks-ground-new-240-million-airport|archive-date=October 18, 2016}} The cost of refurbishments was less than that of constructing a new airport; however, officials determined that building a new airport was the cheaper option. Not having to limit air service to Williston during construction at Sloulin Field would save revenue, and the city would gain from decommissioning the old airport and selling the land.{{cite news | url=http://www.willistonherald.com/business/does-williston-really-need-a-new-airport/article_93c992a0-774d-11e5-903d-dbce172d1b44.html | title=Does Williston really need a new airport? | work=Williston Herald | date=October 20, 2015 | access-date=October 14, 2016 | author=Jean, Renée}} The total cost of the project was $240 million, which was paid by the FAA, the state of North Dakota, and the city of Williston.{{cite press release|url=http://www.governor.nd.gov/media-center/news/dalrymple-celebrates-williston-airport-groundbreaking|title=Dalrymple Celebrates Williston Airport Groundbreaking|publisher=North Dakota Office of the Governor|date=October 10, 2016|access-date=October 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118121617/https://www.governor.nd.gov/media-center/news/dalrymple-celebrates-williston-airport-groundbreaking|archive-date=November 18, 2016}}

A groundbreaking ceremony took place on October 10, 2016, with several members of the state government in attendance. Procedural and weather-related problems delayed the start of construction to mid-2017.{{cite news | url=http://www.willistonherald.com/news/city-picks-je-dunn-to-build-new-airport-terminal/article_78add95a-141c-11e7-b76c-835edb0e85f7.html | title=City picks JE Dunn to build new airport terminal | work=Williston Herald | date=March 29, 2017 | access-date=April 2, 2017 | author=Hackenburg, Elizabeth}} The airport opened to the public on October 10, 2019, with short-haul service to Minneapolis/St. Paul by Delta Connection and Denver by United Express.{{cite news |last=Melberg |first=Mitch |date=October 8, 2019 |title=Williston native to be one of first pilots to fly into Williston Basin International Airport |url=https://www.willistonherald.com/news/public_safety/williston-native-to-be-one-of-first-pilots-to-fly/article_c9769798-ea00-11e9-ab78-ef5f1e8ec1d1.html |work=Williston Herald |access-date=October 10, 2019}} Shortly after the airport's opening, both carriers began using larger regional jets accommodating up to 76 passengers on some flights as compared to smaller 50-seat planes used previously in Williston.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kfyrtv.com/content/news/XWA-will-have-first-class-and-larger-planes-soon-563340861.html|title=XWA will have first class and larger planes soon|last=Tanner|first=Aleisa|website=www.kfyrtv.com|language=en|access-date=January 29, 2020}}

Infrastructure

XWA covers 1600 acres (647 ha) of land. The airport opened with one runway, 14/32, with dimensions of {{convert|7503|x|150|ft}}.{{cite web | url=http://www.xwaproject.com/usrfiles/cp/20150828-XWA-ALP-24x36.pdf | title=Approved Airport Layout Plan (ALP) for Williston Basin International Airport | work=Williston Basin International Airport | date=August 31, 2015 | access-date=October 14, 2016 | page=A-2}}{{cite web | url=https://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/williston-basin-international-airport-to-open-oct/article_07dd2665-08c9-514d-949b-fbe2bba27747.html | title=Williston Basin International Airport to open Oct. 10 | date=October 3, 2019 | access-date=November 29, 2019}} A crosswind runway, 4/22, which measures {{convert|4502|x|75|ft}}, was opened on November 5, 2020 and is mainly intended for use by smaller aircraft.{{cite news |last1=Melberg |first1=Mitch |title=New crosswind runway at XWA open for business |url=https://www.willistonherald.com/news/business/new-crosswind-runway-at-xwa-open-for-business/article_0aa705e6-2064-11eb-b797-63bbdddbfaa2.html |access-date=20 March 2021 |work=Williston Herald |date=6 November 2020}}

The terminal occupies {{convert|110000|sqft}} and has four gates, three of which have jet bridges. It can handle up to 350,000 passengers annually.

At the end of 2022, there were 32 aircraft based at this airport: 25 single-engine, 5 multi-engine, and 2 helicopter. Currently, the FAA does not have any published aircraft operations data for this airport.

Access

Williston Basin International Airport is located about {{convert|10|mi}} northwest of Williston.{{cite news |last=Kohn |first=Jay |date=October 4, 2019 |title=New Williston airport to open next week, bring more flights to region |url=https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/new-williston-airport-to-open-next-week-bring-more-flights-to-region |publisher=KTVQ |access-date=October 10, 2019}} A {{convert|2|mi|adj=on}} road was built to connect the airport to the U.S. Route 85 truck bypass.{{cite news | url=http://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/williston-airport-proponents-chart-aggressive-course/article_98cd1849-ae6a-5c73-9211-0d1ef784023d.html | title=Williston airport proponents chart aggressive course | work=The Bismarck Tribune | date=October 31, 2015 | access-date=October 16, 2016 | author=Smith, Nick | quote=A 2-mile road off of the city's new truck bypass will lead to the facility, which is part of the construction cost.}}{{cite web | url=http://www.nddotwilliston.com/williston-bypass/ | title=Williston Truck Reliever Route | work=North Dakota Department of Transportation | access-date=October 16, 2016}}

Airlines and destinations

= Passenger =

{{Airport destination list

| Delta Connection | Minneapolis/Saint Paul

| Sun Country Airlines | Seasonal: Las Vegas

| United Express | Denver

}}

Delta Connection uses CRJ700s and CRJ900s operated by SkyWest Airlines to Minneapolis. Sun Country Airlines uses Boeing 737-800s to Las Vegas. United Express uses CRJ200s and Embraer 175s operated by SkyWest Airlines to Denver.

class="collapsible collapsed" style="border:1px #aaa solid; width:50em; margin:0.2em auto"
Destinations map
{{Location map+ \|United_States \|width=1000 \|float=center \|caption=Destinations from Williston Basin International Airport {{font color \| red \| Red}} = Year-round destination {{font color \| green \| Green}} = Seasonal destination {{font color \| blue \| Blue}} = Future destination \|places= {{Location map~ \|United_States \|lat=48.2586\|long=-103.7482\|position=left\|label=Williston\|caption=\|mark=Airplane_silhouette.svg\|marksize=15 }} {{Location map~ \|United_States \|lat=39.855193\|long=-104.673849\|position=right\|label=Denver\|label_size=90 \|marksize=7 }} {{Location map~ \|United_States \|lat=44.881944\|long=-93.221667\|position=right\|label=Minneapolis/Saint Paul\|label_size=90 \|marksize=7 }} {{Location map~ \| mark = Green pog.svg \|United_States \|lat=36.083697\|long=-115.153873\|position=right\|label=Las Vegas\|label_size=90 \|marksize=7 }} }}

class="collapsible collapsed" style="border:1px #aaa solid; width:50em; margin:0.2em auto"

Destinations map

{{Location map+ |United_States |width=1000 |float=center

|caption=Destinations from Williston Basin International Airport
{{font color | red | Red}} = Year-round destination
{{font color | green | Green}} = Seasonal destination
{{font color | blue | Blue}} = Future destination

|places=

{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=48.2586|long=-103.7482|position=left|label=Williston|caption=|mark=Airplane_silhouette.svg|marksize=15 }}

{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=39.855193|long=-104.673849|position=right|label=Denver|label_size=90 |marksize=7 }}

{{Location map~ |United_States |lat=44.881944|long=-93.221667|position=right|label=Minneapolis/Saint Paul|label_size=90 |marksize=7 }}

{{Location map~ | mark = Green pog.svg |United_States |lat=36.083697|long=-115.153873|position=right|label=Las Vegas|label_size=90 |marksize=7 }}

}}

= Cargo =

{{Airport destination list

| Encore Air Cargo
operated by Bemidji Airlines | Fargo

| FedEx Feeder
operated by Corporate Air | Fargo

}}

class="collapsible collapsed" style="border:1px #aaa solid; width:50em; margin:0.2em auto"
Destinations map
{{Location map+ \|USA North Dakota \|width=1000 \|float=center \|caption=Destinations from Williston Basin International Airport {{font color \| red \| Red}} = Year-round destination {{font color \| green \| Green}} = Seasonal destination \|places= {{Location map~ \|USA North Dakota \|lat=48.2586\|long=-103.7482\|position=left\|label=Williston\|caption=\|mark=Airplane_silhouette.svg\|marksize=15 }} {{Location map~ \|USA North Dakota \|lat=46.920556\|long=-96.815556\|position=right\|label=Fargo\|label_size=90 \|marksize=7 }} }}

class="collapsible collapsed" style="border:1px #aaa solid; width:50em; margin:0.2em auto"

Destinations map

{{Location map+ |USA North Dakota |width=1000 |float=center

|caption=Destinations from Williston Basin International Airport
{{font color | red | Red}} = Year-round destination
{{font color | green | Green}} = Seasonal destination

|places=

{{Location map~ |USA North Dakota |lat=48.2586|long=-103.7482|position=left|label=Williston|caption=|mark=Airplane_silhouette.svg|marksize=15 }}

{{Location map~ |USA North Dakota |lat=46.920556|long=-96.815556|position=right|label=Fargo|label_size=90 |marksize=7 }}

}}

Statistics

=Carrier shares=

{{Bar chart

| title = Carrier shares (September 2023 - August 2024){{cite web|url=https://www.transtats.bts.gov/airports.asp?pn=1&Airport=XWA&Airport_Name=Williston,%20ND:%20Williston%20Basin%20International&carrier=FACTS|title=Williston International (XWA) Summary Statistics|access-date=May 30, 2022}}

| bar_width = 32

| width_units = em

| label_type = Carrier

| data_type = Passengers (arriving and departing)

| data_max = 185,000

| label1 = SkyWest

| data1 = 181,000

| comment1 = 95.63%

| label2 = Sun Country

| data2 = 8,290

| comment2 = 4.37%

}}

=Top destinations=

class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%;" \|+ Busiest domestic routes from XWA (September 2023 - August 2024)
Rank ! Airport ! Passengers ! Carriers
align=center\|1 \| align=left\|Denver, Colorado \| 56,000 \| United Express
align=center\|2 \| align=left\|Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota \| 35,000 \| Delta Connection
align=center\|3 \| align=left\|Las Vegas, Nevada \| 4,000 \| Sun Country

class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%;"

|+ Busiest domestic routes from XWA (September 2023 - August 2024)

Rank

! Airport

! Passengers

! Carriers

align=center|1

| align=left|Denver, Colorado

| 56,000

| United Express

align=center|2

| align=left|Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota