Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority

What Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority does

The Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority is a public, non-profit organization established in 1987 by joint resolution between Grand Forks County and the City of Grand Forks, governed by a 7-member board of commissioners. It operates Grand Forks International Airport (Mark Andrews Field) in Grand Forks, North Dakota, a regional commercial service airport that also functions as one of the busiest general aviation fields in the United States by movements. The Authority provides terminal operations through the approximately 50,000 sq. ft. Byron L. Dorgan Terminal (two gates, opened 2011), airfield infrastructure across four runways totaling roughly 21,250 feet, 1,087 vehicle parking spaces managed by Republic Parking, an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting facility (opened 2016), and a Stephen Rucinski Maintenance Center for snow removal and airfield upkeep.

The airport's commercial service is provided by Allegiant Air (direct flights to Las Vegas, Phoenix/Mesa, and Orlando) and Delta Air Lines (multiple daily flights to the Minneapolis/St. Paul hub). General aviation, charter, maintenance, and flight training services are delivered by Avflight Grand Forks (FBO) and GFK Flight Support, with medical transport provided by Altru Care Flight and Guardian Flight using Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, and cargo handled by FedEx. The Authority's defining operational relationship is with UND Aerospace (John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences), which has been headquartered at the airport since 1968 and operates more than 110 aircraft and trains over 1,500 students, generating the bulk of the airport's 350,000+ annual take-offs and landings.

Revenue is generated through Passenger Facility Charges ($4.50 per departing ticket, used to fund construction, terminal improvements, equipment acquisition, and bond repayment), airline operational fees (averaging $3.79 per passenger for landing, terminal rent, and ARFF services), and tenant operations covering FBOs, rental car concessions, parking, dining/retail, and cargo. The Authority is undertaking a multi-phase airfield development program that extends runway 9L/27R by approximately 2,500 feet, with the runway project supporting a publicly stated enplanement growth target from approximately 150,000 to 250,000 by 2040.

Name

Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority

Legal name

Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority

Website

https://gfkairport.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority operates Grand Forks International Airport (Mark Andrews Field), a public non-profit regional airport serving commercial passengers via Allegiant and Delta, UND Aerospace pilot training, general aviation, air ambulance, and cargo across the Red River Valley region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Airport Operations and Aviation Services

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Private Aviation Ground Support & Trip Services (Dispatch, Permits, Handling) (THABAFAK)

Keywords

• Airport operations
• Commercial aviation
• General aviation services
• Passenger terminal services
• Airfield infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Forks

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Passenger Facility Charges: $4.50 passenger facility charge on all tickets departing from Grand Forks, used to fund construction projects, terminal improvements, equipment acquisition, and bond repayment.
2. Airline Fees: Airlines pay an average of $3.79 per passenger for airport operational expenses including landing fees, terminal rent, and airport fire department services. Total of $8.29 per passenger paid directly to the airport.
3. Tenant Operations: Revenue from airport tenants including FBOs, rental car companies, food/beverage operators, and other service providers operating at the airport.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority operates Grand Forks International Airport (Mark Andrews Field), providing commercial passenger terminal services, general aviation facilities, aircraft rescue and firefighting, parking, ground transportation, and airfield infrastructure. The Authority supports scheduled commercial airline service through Allegiant and Delta, hosts UND Aerospace's pilot training fleet of over 110 aircraft, and facilitates medical transport and cargo operations through partner tenants.

Product overview

Grand Forks International Airport operates as a public regional airport offering commercial passenger services through the Byron L. Dorgan Terminal (50,000 sq. ft., 2 gates), ground transportation including rental cars, parking facilities (1,087 spaces), and general aviation services via fixed-base operators. The airport partners with Delta Air Lines and Allegiant for commercial flights, and hosts UND Aerospace's pilot training program with over 110 aircraft. Supporting infrastructure includes an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) facility, runway/airfield systems, and airport badging/security services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commercial Passenger Terminal Services The Byron L. Dorgan Terminal (approximately 50,000 sq. ft. with 2 gates) provides passenger processing, flight operations, security screening, and guest services for commercial airlines including Delta Air Lines and Allegiant.
• Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) 17,185 sq. ft. fire station providing fire and EMS response to aircraft and tenants. Staffed facility includes living quarters, training room, and specialized firefighting equipment.
• Parking Services Vehicle parking facilities managed by Republic Parking Systems with 1,087 parking spaces. Various parking options available for passengers.
• General Aviation Services Fixed base operator (FBO) services provided by Avflight including aircraft maintenance, charter services, aircraft management, pilot services, and flight training support.
• Ground Transportation Rental car services (Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, National), ground transportation coordination, and taxi services for airport passengers.
• Medical Transport Services Air ambulance transport services provided by Altru Care Flight and Guardian Flight, serving patients across the Red River Valley using Pilatus PC-12 fixed-wing aircraft.
• Airport Badging & Security Security identification badges for airport personnel, access control, and security awareness programs including the 'This is My Airport' insider threat reporting system.
• Runway & Airfield Infrastructure Multiple runways including 17R/35L (7,349 ft.), 9L/27R (6,701 ft.), and general aviation runways. Ongoing multi-phase airfield development including runway 9L/27R extension of approximately 2,500 feet to the west.
• Dining & Retail Red River Valley Tap House located in the terminal serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with full bar and specialty coffee. Gift shop with North Dakota and UND themed merchandise.
• Stephen Rucinski Maintenance Center Maintenance center and snow removal equipment (SRE) storage building supporting airport operations and airfield maintenance.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UND Aerospace (John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1968UND Aerospace program founded in 1968 by John D. Odegard. The university maintains a large campus at GFK with over 110 aircraft in its fleet mostly based at the airport. UND Aerospace students generate the majority of airport operations, keeping GFK ranked in the top 20 busiest airports nationally.
• Allegiant AircoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAllegiant provides direct commercial airline service from GFK to Las Vegas, Phoenix/Mesa, and Orlando destinations, serving as the primary low-cost carrier option for regional travelers.
• Delta Air LinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDelta operates multiple daily flights to Minneapolis/St. Paul hub, providing connectivity to worldwide destinations through the airline's global network.
• Avflight Grand ForkscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFixed base operator (FBO) providing full services for private and corporate aircraft including aircraft maintenance, charter, full line service, and flight training support with 5-star facility.
• Republic Parking SystemsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThird-party parking management company operating airport parking facilities.
• FedExminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCargo airline operations at the airport for package delivery services.
• Altru Care FlightminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAir ambulance transport program serving patients across the Red River Valley using Pilatus PC-12 fixed-wing aircraft based at Grand Forks International Airport.
• Guardian FlightminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMedical transport service with mission to provide care to patients at a moment's notice, safely and efficiently transporting patients to facilities equipped for their medical needs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Others

• Avflight (FBO network): FBO operator at GFK providing general aviation services; comparable business model and infrastructure at peer airports where Avflight also operates. Provides aircraft fueling, maintenance, and charter services.
• UND Aerospace (John D. Odegard School): University partner anchoring GFK's traffic; other collegiate aviation programs at peer airports (e.g., UMD, Embry-Riddle, Purdue) represent comparable institutional relationships that drive non-airline flight operations.

Direct peers

• Hector International Airport (Fargo): Fargo's commercial service airport in North Dakota, comparable in regional size, terminal scale, and role as a commercial/cargo gateway for the eastern Dakotas. Similar 2-carrier service model and PFC-funded revenue structure.
• Sioux Falls Regional Airport: Upper-Midwest regional airport with similar commercial service profile and terminal scale. Comparable in operating as a public authority with PFC and airline fee revenue streams.
• Bismarck Airport: North Dakota's state capital airport, similar in scale, commercial carrier mix (Delta, United, Allegiant), and infrastructure footprint. Operates with a comparable authority structure and revenue model.
• Rapid City Regional Airport: Regional airport in the upper Midwest/plains serving a similar-sized catchment with tourism-driven traffic and comparable terminal/gate configuration.
• Duluth International Airport: Regional airport with a comparable university-aviation partnership (UMD/LSC) driving significant pilot training volume, similar to GFK's UND Aerospace relationship. Cold-climate operations and similar multi-runway infrastructure.
• Minot International Airport: Regional North Dakota airport serving oil country, comparable in enplanement volume and small-terminal operating model. Provides similar commercial and general aviation services.
• Williston Basin International Airport: North Dakota regional airport with similar cold-climate operations and small commercial footprint, recently developed as a modern regional facility.

Regional players

• Winnipeg Richardson International Airport: Larger Canadian airport serving the same Red River Valley cross-border market as GFK. Operates as a regional hub for Manitoba and competes for some of the same catchment area, particularly for Canadian leisure travelers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gfkairport
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• Facebookfacebook.com/gfkairport
• Instagraminstagram.com/gfkairport
• Pinterestpinterest.com/gfkairport

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Grand Forks Regional Airport Authority