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WHAT ARE SOME BENEFITS OF HAVING THE FORT DODGE REGIONAL AIRPORT IN OUR COMMUNITY?
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Accessibility to aviation creates time-savings, economic efficiencies, and most importantly, enables human connections nationwide and globally.
Aviation is a tool that contributes to the efficiency and success of many companies in our region. Beyond jobs directly related to aviation, businesses can boost productivity using private aircraft, airlines, and charters. Our airport is an important transportation asset and one worth investing in.
Rhonda Chambers
Q&A
WHAT AIRLINE PROVIDES SERVICE TO FORT DODGE, AND HOW CAN TRAVELERS BOOK TICKETS? HOW MANY FLIGHTS COME THROUGH THE AIRPORT EACH WEEK?
Our air service is provided by SkyWest Airlines operating under a code share agreement with United Airlines. This means that the aircraft and flights are operating as United Airlines.
Tickets are easily booked at United.com or United’s app. Currently, we have two regional jet flights per day except on Tuesdays and Saturday. These flights go to Chicago O’Hare with connections to United’s national and global network.
2022 WAS A BUSY TRAVEL YEAR. ARE THERE ANY EXPECTED TRAVEL TRENDS FOR 2023?
It is expected that demand for air travel will continue to increase. Commercial aviation drives 5% of U.S. GDP—the equivalent of $1.25 trillion in 2022.
Every day, U.S. airlines operate 25,000 flights carrying 2.3 million passengers to/from nearly 80 countries and 66,000 tons of cargo to/from more than 220 countries.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR TRAVELERS AS THEY PLAN THEIR NEXT ADVENTURE?
I encourage travelers to book on the airlines’ website or app. Using the airlines booking network, instead of a third party, allows you to receive critical information such as delays or changes to your flight. It also provides information such as forecasted weather problems at your destination and may allow you to book a different flight with no additional charges.
The airline industry is coping with pilot and staff shortages. As you can see from the number of flights per day, a problem with any one airport will have ripple effects throughout the system. Therefore, I recommend booking flights with ample time to accommodate for delays, cancellations, and changes to your flight and arrival at your destinations. Some situations are more critical than others. For example, if you are attempting to catch a cruise plan a cushion of time in your flight schedule allowing for any unforeseen delays that could prevent you from “missing the boat”.
Finally, when things go wrong try to keep your emotions in check. Understandably your plans are being interrupted and it is stressful for you. But getting upset and angry at a ticket agent or someone on the phone will not fix the current situation. The person you are talking to is not responsible for the disruption. Remember, they are the person who may be able to help you make other arrangements to get you back on track.
