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Williston approves up to $2.7 million guarantee to maintain SkyWest/Delta service at XWA
Summary
The City Commission approved a minimum-revenue guarantee capped at $2.7 million to keep SkyWest-operated Delta flights at Williston Basin International Airport (XWA) through Nov. 30, 2026; Williams County committed up to $800,000 toward 2026 support.
The Williston Board of City Commissioners voted Dec. 9 to approve a minimum-revenue guarantee (MRG) of up to $2,700,000 to support SkyWest Airlines’ proposed Delta service at Williston Basin International Airport (XWA) from Jan. 1 through Nov. 30, 2026.
Airport Director Anthony Dudas told the commission the proposal would increase frequency to three daily flights to Minneapolis–St. Paul (up from two daily flights in 2025) and that SkyWest capped the city's maximum exposure at $2.7 million. Williams County has pledged up to $800,000 (30%) toward 2026 support, the airport said.
Dudas summarized recent ridership trends presented to the commission: enplanements rose 33% in 2023 over 2022 and 24% in 2024 over 2023; in 2025, Delta passenger counts were down 11% after a change to the smaller CRJ-550 aircraft and industry constraints on regional operations. SkyWest’s forecast attached to the proposal included an assumed load factor reduction from 85% to 77% and an hourly fuel-cost estimate decline.
Dudas’ office provided an economic-impact estimate for a single CRJ-550 operating at XWA — about $2.6 million in direct and indirect economic impact per aircraft — and described continued partnership coordination with Williams County and other regional partners to evaluate long-term viability.
Commissioners approved the MRG by unanimous vote. Dudas said the city will reassess whether to continue the revenue guarantee in spring 2026 based on passenger performance and partnership evaluations.
Why this matters: The guarantee is intended to reduce the financial risk for the carrier as it rebuilds service and to preserve air connectivity that local businesses, residents and the regional economy rely on.
