New service changes coming to Jamestown airport

Talk about it

Changes are coming to Jamestown Regional Airport as a result from a June meeting in Washington, D.C., between government leaders and airline officials.

In about 40 days, Jamestown will be able to offer Delta Sky Miles, an incentive for frequent fliers, on flights to Minneapolis. Jamestown will be listed in Delta Vacations, meaning people will be able to book vacation packages through Delta Vacation booking while departing from Jamestown on Great Lakes Airlines flights.

Irregular Operations, or IROP, will also be in place meaning if a plane is delayed or late for a connecting flight, Delta Air Lines officials will rebook and accommodate for passengers. Previously that was the passengers’ responsibility.

“We’re moving forward and we’re moving forward as fast as we can,” said Matt Leitner, JRA manager at the monthly Jamestown Regional Airport Authority meeting on Wednesday. “Progress is being made.”

The JRAA also learned that boardings are increasing with the new flight schedule.

The new schedule went into effect on July 9 and during the week flights leave Jamestown at 6:10 and 9:15 a.m. and 3 p.m. bound for Minneapolis.

Flights also no longer connect to Williston. No one has complained about the change yet, he said.

Leitner also said fewer flights are cancelled and fewer are delayed. June saw 175 boardings and Leitner said July will have more because of the changes.

Boardings peaked at 797 in February before Great Lakes took over Jamestown’s passenger route from Delta after Delta declined to bid on Jamestown’s Essential Air Service contract. In March, there were 448 and in April there were 185.

The Washington meeting that led to these changes included the state’s congressional delegation, members of the Jamestown Regional Airport Authority and representatives of both airlines.

“We need to start tracking on a weekly basis so let’s say that in a month we can see if there’s an improvement trending,” said Jim Boyd, JRAA chairman.

A round-trip flight to Minneapolis costs about $125.

The next step for JRAA is advertising the new schedule and improved arrivals.

“I think there’s a market for Minneapolis and back that we’re not capitalizing on,” said Jeff Wilhelm, JRAA vice chair.

He suggested advertising in cities in a 40-mile radius, such as Carrington and Valley City.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, news, airport