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Skydine asks Fargo board for new airport liquor classification to allow post-security possession
Summary
Skydine and the Fargo airport authority presented a proposal asking the Liquor Control Board for a new classification that would allow passengers to possess alcoholic beverages in defined sterile (post-security) concourse areas; the proposal included a two-drink-per-transaction limit, signage and delineated service/possession zones, but board members pressed for clear monitoring plans and state licensing confirmation.
Skydine, the food-and-beverage concessionaire at Fargo’s airport, and representatives of the airport authority asked the Fargo Liquor Control Board to consider a new liquor classification that would permit passengers to possess alcoholic beverages in specified post-security concourse areas.
Austin Shenaha, executive vice president of Skydine, described the request as a partnership with the airport authority to let passengers carry beverages in otherwise passenger-accessible sterile areas. "Passengers to possess alcoholic beverages in the normally passenger accessible areas of the sterile side," Shenaha said, summarizing the proposal to create distinct alcohol service areas (where Skydine would serve and monitor) and alcohol possession areas (where passengers could carry clearly marked containers). He proposed operational controls including clearly marked cups or wristbands, signage reminding patrons of terminal policies, and a proposed limit of "no more than 2 alcoholic beverages per transaction, whether that's a shot and a mix or, you know, 2 beers." Shenaha also said staff would reassess patron intoxication at each transaction.
Board members raised enforcement and safety questions. The chair and others emphasized that when alcohol is sold, licensed operations are responsible for monitoring: "You have to monitor. If your proposal is this whole green area is alcohol, that all has to be monitored. Period," the chair said. Board members asked who would enforce possession and monitor potential handoffs to minors outside the service area; Skydine deferred security questions to the airport authority and staff said they would work with the city attorney on ordinance language.
Paula Ekman, chair of the Munich Hector Municipal Airport Authority, said airports across the country — and in North Dakota, Minot and Bismarck — allow passengers to carry purchased alcoholic beverages through concourses. "Minot and Bismarck both offer that," she said, and urged the board to consider temporary authority to match the airport's planned move to temporary concessions on Feb. 10. Airport representatives said signage, stanchions (temporary) and permanent walls will be used to delineate service and possession areas and that the airport would specify prohibited zones such as restrooms and sensory rooms.
Board members asked Skydine and airport staff to provide examples from other airports and to confirm North Dakota licensing requirements; staff said they would meet with airport representatives, the city attorney and other stakeholders to draft clear rules and limits before any ordinance or license classification is forwarded to the City Commission for consideration.
