Fasten Your Seatbelts: Big Changes Set To Fly At Bismarck Airport

You might want to put your phone on airplane mode for this one.

The Bismarck Airport Expansion Cleared for Takeoff?

In a press release from Senator John Hoven, the Bismarck Airport could be looking at a major "glow up". Hoven held a meeting with Bismarck Airport officials yesterday to discuss a proposed Terminal Development project for the airport that will cost more than $132 million.

Senator Hoven is a member of the Senate Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Committee, and he will be working to fulfill the project's $50 million federal funding for the airport in Bismarck.

Officials say the expansion is needed to meet increasing air service for the 20-year-old terminal.

The Terminal Project Involves:

1. Two additional gates to expand air service capacity (more flight departures and arrivals)

2. Increase the size of departure lounges to improve passenger experience.

3. Expand the TSA checkpoint to meet modern security standards.

4. Enlarge restrooms and amenities.

5. Increase baggage screening facilities to support increased air service.

Crunching the Numbers

The current terminal was completed in 2005, and it was projected to have 240,000 enplanements per year by 2021, but that figure was surpassed in 2015. In fact, passenger activity exceeded 300,000 in 2019 and 2025.

The goal of this project is set to soar in 2027 and have construction completed by 2030.