More Airline Woes for Williston as Delta Looks to Suspend Service; United to Cut Hours

Williston, ND (KEYZ) The COVID-19 pandemic is now wreaking more havoc on the airline industry, dealing a potentially crushing blow to the traveling public in and around Williston.

News Radio gets word today, Thursday, May 28, 2020 that one of the primary airlines serving the Bakken is seeking to suspend its service to the region.

"We've received this formal suspension of service from Delta Airlines through the US DOT" said XWA Airport Director Anthony Dudas. Dudas tells News Radio the city was notified just before the Memorial Day holiday weekend on Friday, May 22nd and that they were given until this afternoon to submit a response to Delta's request and tentative approval by the US DOT. If approved, Delta would cease ALL flights to and from Williston, including those that go to the hub city of Minneapolis.

Dudas says the loss of service by Delta is not a foregone conclusion, and the city's response to the US DOT is one they hope will convince the carrier to reverse course.

"While we understand that traffic is slow throughout the country, we are not the lone airport in that effort. We feel that we need to respond and provide a rebuttal to the US DOT to ensure that they have all the information to make an educated decision on further reductions in their service."

Williston's plight has gotten the attention of North Dakota's Congressional delegation and Governor Doug Burgum who have all provided a letter of support to the City of Williston and a response to the US DOT which will be part of the rebuttal Dudas is crafting. Dudas cautions the traveling public that Delta's approval is "tentative;" he is hoping to hear back from the US DOT early next week as to whether or not Delta's request will indeed be granted.

For now, Dudas advises the public to monitor your Delta travel plans if you're flying with Delta this summer. He tells News Radio next week will be "more telling," and he hopes to provide more detailed information to better assist the traveling public.

United, XWA's other primary airline, will reduce their flights from seven days a week to four beginning next Monday, June 1, 2020. Passengers will only be able to fly United on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday.