Delta adds Williston-Twin Cities connection

WILLISTON, N.D. – Delta Air Lines is adding twice-daily, nonstop jet service between Williston and Minneapolis-St. Paul beginning in November.

Starting Nov. 12, Delta Connection partner Skywest Airlines will operate twice-daily, nonstop flights between Williston’s Sloulin Field International Airport and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. Service will be provided using 50-seat jet aircraft.

United Airlines in July announced that beginning Nov. 4, it will offer three round-trip flights between Williston and Denver, a route also served by Great Lakes Airlines.

“This is fantastic news for Williston and all of northwest North Dakota,” N.D. Sen. John Hoeven said in making the air service announcement today.

Delta Air Lines also is looking to make another investment in North Dakota, according to a new release from Hoeven’s office. The company is exploring purchasing North Dakota crude oil to use at the company’s recently acquired Philadelphia-based refinery. The airline is the only major U.S. carrier that owns its own refinery to produce the jet fuel needed to operate its fleet.

Delta has scheduled two outbound flights daily from Williston to Minneapolis-St. Paul, a morning flight departing at 7 a.m. arriving in Minneapolis at 8:25 a.m., and an afternoon flight departing at 2:45 p.m. and arriving in Minneapolis at 4:26 p.m. Inbound flights will depart from Minneapolis-St. Paul at 11:30 a.m. arriving in Williston at 1:28 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. arriving at 9:32 p.m.

Williston Airport boardings have increased by 119 percent from August 2010 to August 2012, according to the new release.

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