(KNOX) –Delta Air Lines will end its service between Williston Basin International Airport and Minneapolis/St. Paul on September 7 after 14 years. A statement from SkyWest Airlines says that passengers whose travel plans might be affected will be contacted.
Williston Airport Director Ryan O’Rear said Delta’s final decision was made following five years of efforts by the city, regional partners and neighboring counties to keep the route after Delta suspended service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Service returned in 2021 because of a Minimum Revenue Guarantee. The MRG helps provide financial support to offset airline losses when a route starts up again.
The Williston City Commission approved an 11-month renewal of the MRG last December. The renewed agreement started Jan. 1 and was supposed to run through November. It covered up to $2.7 million in costs.
O’Rear said the city remained willing to provide additional MRG funding, but the route’s inability to become self-sustaining, even though there had been five years of MRG support, ultimately led to ending the service.
XWA recorded a total of 102,841 passengers boarding commercial flights at the airport in 2025. 32,793 were flying to Minneapolis/St. Paul, but the majority of passengers were flying on United flights to Denver. 66,998 flew to Denver last year from Williston.
O’Rear also says that Delta’s decision to leave could create opportunities to bring in another airline.
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