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Sioux Falls Regional Airport

Coordinates: 43°34′55″N 096°44′31″W / 43.58194°N 96.74194°W / 43.58194; -96.74194
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Sioux Falls Regional Airport

Joe Foss Field
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerCity of Sioux Falls
OperatorSioux Falls Regional Airport Authority
ServesSioux Falls, South Dakota
Hub for
Elevation AMSL1,430 ft / 436 m
Coordinates43°34′55″N 096°44′31″W / 43.58194°N 96.74194°W / 43.58194; -96.74194
Websitesfairport.com
Map
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
03/21 9,000 2,743 Concrete
15/33 8,000 2,438 Concrete
09/27 3,148 960 Concrete
Helipads
Number Length Surface
ft m
H1 50 15 Asphalt
Statistics (2023)
Total passengers1,338,514
Aircraft operations51,105
Based aircraft111
Sources: Airport website,[1] FAA[2]

Sioux Falls Regional Airport (IATA: FSD, ICAO: KFSD, FAA LID: FSD),[3] also known as Joe Foss Field,[2] is a public and military use airport three miles northwest of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States.[2] It is named in honor of aviator and Sioux Falls native Joe Foss, who later served as the 20th Governor of South Dakota (1955–1959).

The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 categorized it as a primary commercial service airport since it has over 10,000 passenger boardings (enplanements) per year. Federal Aviation Administration records say the airport had 423,288 enplanements in calendar year 2011, an increase of 18.92% from 355,939 in 2010.

Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Station is home to Headquarters, South Dakota Air National Guard and its 114th Fighter Wing (114 FW). The 114 FW is an Air Combat Command gained unit known as the "Fighting Lobos" and operates F-16C/D aircraft. The South Dakota Adjutant General is based in Camp Rapid in Rapid City, South Dakota, but the South Dakota Air National Guard is effectively headquartered with the 114 FW.[citation needed]

History

[edit]
Runway layout at FSD

Sioux Falls Regional Airport was built on its present site as an airfield in 1937. In early 1942, the city approached the Federal Government and later leased the airport and surrounding property to become the Sioux Falls Army Air Field. The major function of the base was the establishment of a radio operator training facility. Between 1942 and 1945, about 40,000 radio operators were trained in Sioux Falls. The base was also a logistical supply center and its grid of streets now make up an industrial area just south of the present day airport. In 1946 the airport and surrounding land was transferred back to the city and the South Dakota Air National Guard was established under the direction of future airport namesake Joe Foss. The Air National Guard Base portion of the airport is south and west of the commercial and general aviation areas, north of Russell Street, and has all the standard facilities of a small USAF installation except for family housing. The 114th's F-16C and F-16D aircraft are a frequent sight over the Sioux Falls area, conducting training flights and routine operations.

Mid-Continent Airlines established the airport's first airline flights around 1940; the airline's successor, Braniff, left the airport about 1967. Western Airlines arrived in 1955, North Central in 1957, and Ozark in 1962.[citation needed] By 1992, the airport had 28 daily flights from eight airlines.[4]

In 2005, Sioux Falls Regional Airport became one of the first airports in the country to de-federalize its workforce. Covenant Aviation Security previously provided baggage and passenger screening under contract with the Transportation Security Administration under the Screening Partnership Program. Currently, the Trinity Technology Group provides security screening functions.[citation needed]

Facilities

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Terminal

Joe Foss Field covers 1,570 acres (635 ha) at an elevation of 1,430 feet (436 m). It has three concrete runways: 3/21 is 9,000 by 150 feet (2,743 x 46 m), 15/33 is 8,000 by 150 feet (2,438 x 46 m), and 9/27 is 3,148 by 75 feet (960 x 23 m) by 150 feet. It has one asphalt helipad, H1, 50 by 50 feet (15 x 15 m).[2][5]

The terminal has seven gates, all with loading bridges. Five gates can accommodate up to an Airbus A320 family or Boeing 737 family size aircraft, gate number 5 can accommodate up to a Boeing 757, and gate number 2 can only accommodate a CRJ 200 or ERJ-145.[6] CBP facilities exist for general aviation and cargo use, but large charter and scheduled passenger are not accepted.[6]

In 2017 the airport had 73,221 aircraft operations, average 201 per day: 38% air taxi, 39% general aviation, 16% airline and 7% military. 111 aircraft were then based at this airport: 49.5% single-engine, 31% multi-engine, 16% military and 4% jet.[2]

Renovations

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The Costello Terminal building opened in 1970 and has undergone numerous renovations over the years including ones in 1990, 2003 and 2005.

Beginning in the spring of 2009, the Sioux Falls Regional Airport embarked on a three-phase, multi-year, multi-million-dollar renovation and expansion project, designed by Koch Hazard Architects[7] to update the look and feel of the airport. Projects included renovating and expanding the ticketing and check-in counter area, moving all TSA screening equipment behind the ticketing counters into a more secure location, renovating and relocating the ground floor gift shop, updating and renovating the concourse, adding a new business lounge, renovating the restaurant in the upper concourse, installing three new jet bridges, and updating and re-configuring the airport's parking operations. By 2012, these projects were completed and more improvements were announced. From March to October 2012, the terminal's lower level restaurant was overhauled and renovated to become Wildcat Corner. Another long-term parking lot was built due to high demand; from August to September 2012, the airport was closed over a course of four weekends to almost all air traffic to allow a runway intersection to be rebuilt. In 2014 work began to replace the dated escalators, to open and finish renovating the lobby of the terminal, and expand the security checkpoint. That same year, work also commenced on an onsite hotel attached to the north end of the current terminal building. The hotel mainly caters to business travelers and has about 70 rooms.

Future projects include construction of additional holding aprons for aircraft at the end of each runway, continued pavement rehabilitation, completion of a west side access road, improvements to airport parking, a new control tower, new landing and updated navigational aids for all runways, additional land easements for flood control, runway safety zones, conservation efforts, an additional baggage carousel, a parking ramp and a new concourse.

A large terminal expansion was announced in November 2022 which will add multiple gates and two additional departure lounges. Construction is tentatively anticipated to begin in 2025 or 2026.[8]

Airlines and destinations

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Since 2012, the commercial airlines serving the airport have remained unchanged. However, several of the airlines have added new destinations or modified existing service on established routes. Allegiant introduced service to five new cities. American added service to Phoenix and Charlotte, while also introducing mainline service to Dallas in February 2023 (supplementing its long-standing regional service to the city).[9] Since 2012, the only known commercial routes to be cut from the airport's schedule were three direct flights - Detroit (operated by Delta) ended on November 25, 2012, Charlotte (operated by American) ended on October 6, 2022, and Orange County (operated by Allegiant) ended in 2023.[10][11][12]

Passenger

[edit]
AirlinesDestinationsRefs
Allegiant Air Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas, Nashville, Orlando/Sanford, Phoenix/Mesa, St. Petersburg/Clearwater
Seasonal: Los Angeles, Punta Gorda (FL), San Diego 		[13][14][15]
American Airlines Dallas/Fort Worth
American Eagle Chicago–O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix–Sky Harbor [16][17][18]
Delta Air Lines Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul [19]
Delta Connection Minneapolis/St. Paul [20]
Frontier Airlines Denver
United Airlines Denver
Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare		 [21]
United Express Chicago–O'Hare, Denver [21]

Cargo

[edit]
AirlinesDestinations
Alpine Air Express Aberdeen, Fargo, Mobridge, Rapid City, Watertown
Castle Aviation Akron/Canton
Encore Air Cargo
operated by Bemidji Airlines 		Aberdeen, Fargo, Pierre, Rapid City, Watertown, Winner
FedEx Express Indianapolis, Madison, Memphis
FedEx Feeder
operated by CSA Air 		Aberdeen, Pierre, Watertown
FedEx Feeder
operated by Empire Airlines 		Rapid City
FedEx Feeder
operated by Mountain Air Cargo 		Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, Indianapolis
Martinaire Fargo
UPS Airlines Calgary, Chicago/Rockford, Denver, Des Moines, Fargo, Kansas City, Louisville, Oklahoma City, Ontario, Sacramento–Mather
Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul

Statistics

[edit]

Top destinations

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Top domestic destinations from FSD
(July 2022 – June 2023)[22]
Rank Airport Passengers Airlines
1 Colorado Denver International (DEN) 126,000 Frontier, United
2 Illinois Chicago–O'Hare International (ORD) 105,000 American, United
3 Minnesota Minneapolis–Saint Paul International (MSP) 103,000 Delta
4 Texas Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) 65,000 American
5 Arizona Phoenix–Mesa Gateway (AZA) 49,000 Allegiant
6 Georgia (U.S. state) Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) 42,000 Delta
7 Nevada Las Vegas–Harry Reid International (LAS) 32,000 Allegiant
8 Arizona Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) 19,000 American
9 Tennessee Nashville International (BNA) 18,000 Allegiant
10 Florida Orlando Sanford International (SFB) 14,000 Allegiant

Airline statistics

[edit]
Largest airlines at FSD (July 2022 – June 2023)[22]
Rank Airline Passengers Market share
1 Allegiant Air 322,000 25.76%
2 SkyWest Airlines 289,000 23.11%
3 United Airlines 157,000 12.58%
4 Delta Air Lines 147,000 11.75%
5 Envoy Air 66,000 5.31%
Other 269,000 21.48%

Ground transportation

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As of November 2024, Sioux Area Metro (SAM) offers their SAM on Demand service to the Airport with plans to begin regular bus service in February 2025. The SAM Bus Stop is located at the terminal.

Incidents

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On March 8, 1972, two people died after a Cessna arriving from Fairmont, Minnesota hit power lines on final approach.[23]

On June 16, 1981, one person died and three people were injured after a single-engine Cessna experienced engine failure and crashed on takeoff.[23]

On November 30, 1982, two people died after a Cessna P210 crashed short of the runway at night in fog.[23]

On September 24, 1983, a modified ultralight aircraft crashed during an air show, killing its pilot and only occupant.[23]

On November 6, 1983, a Convair 580 operating for Republic Airways struck a bird on landing, which penetrated the windshield and hit the captain in the face. The first officer completed the landing without further incident.[24]

On December 20, 1983, Ozark Air Lines Flight 650 struck a snow plow on the runway while landing, killing the driver of the snow plow.

On December 9, 2011, a Cessna 421-C aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff less than a mile from the airport into an open field. All 4 passengers on board were killed when the aircraft burst into flames upon crashing.[23]

On April 8, 2018, an Allegiant Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-83 arriving from Las Vegas overran the runway due to snow and ice. No passengers were injured.[25]

On December 25, 2018, a Beechcraft Baron, registered N6745V, crashed in southeast Sioux Falls while approaching runway 33. The pilot and one passenger died.[26][27][28]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sioux Falls Regional Airport, official website
  2. ^ a b c d e FAA Airport Form 5010 for FSD PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective January 25, 2024.
  3. ^ "IATA Airport Code Search (FSD: Sioux Falls Regional / Jo Foss Fld)". International Air Transport Association. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  4. ^ "Travel easy in, around the town". Argus Leader. August 23, 1992. p. 2H. Retrieved December 23, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "FSD airport data at skyvector.com". skyvector.com. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Airport Master Plan Update Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD)" (PDF). Sioux Falls Regional Airport.
  7. ^ "Airport renovation plan OK'd". Koch Hazard Architects. December 19, 2009.
  8. ^ "Airport board approves plan to add up to 8 gates". November 21, 2022.
  9. ^ "Flying Sioux Falls to Dallas, Texas will soon be a roomier trip".
  10. ^ https://www.allegiantair.com/route-map [bare URL]
  11. ^ "Allegiant announces new nonstop services to California, Florida from Sioux Falls". 10 August 2021.
  12. ^ https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/business/article262719182.html
  13. ^ Liu, Jim. "Allegiant Air further expands S20 network in June 2020". Routesonline. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  14. ^ "Allegiant Route Map". Allegiant Airlines.
  15. ^ "Allegiant Announces Largest Service Expansion In Company History With 3 New Cities And 44 Nonstop Routes". Allegiant AIrlines.
  16. ^ "Direct Flight Destinations". Sioux Falls Airport.
  17. ^ "AA Route Map". American Airlines. Archived from the original on 2018-04-08. Retrieved 2022-08-15.
  18. ^ "FSD aiming for more service in 2017 | News | KELO Newstalk 1320 107.9". Archived from the original on 2019-02-04. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  19. ^ "Delta Route Map". Delta Air Lines. Archived from the original on 2021-04-10. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
  20. ^ "Delta Route Map". Delta Air Lines. Archived from the original on 2021-04-10. Retrieved 2021-03-17.
  21. ^ a b "United Airlines Route Maps". United Airlines. Archived from the original on August 8, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  22. ^ a b "Sioux Falls, SD: Joe Foss Field (FSD)". Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA), U.S. Department of Transportation. September 2023.
  23. ^ a b c d e Ellis, Jonathan (December 27, 2018). "A history of fatal plane accidents in Sioux Falls". Argus Leader. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
  24. ^ "htmlReport". app.ntsb.gov. Retrieved 2019-05-26.
  25. ^ "Allegiant Air plane skids off snowy runway at South Dakota airport". CBS News. April 8, 2018. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
  26. ^ "N6745V (1980 BEECH 58P owned by MEYER VAUGHN) Aircraft Registration FlightAware". FlightAware. Retrieved 2018-12-27.
  27. ^ Fugleberg, Jeremy; Nelson, Katie (December 26, 2018). "'I think we just lost an aircraft': Audio of air traffic controllers on night of Sioux Falls plane crash". Argus Leader. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
  28. ^ Sneve, Joe; Huber, Makenzie L; Raposa, Megan (2018-12-25). "Two dead after plane crashes into Sioux Falls neighborhood Christmas evening". Argus Leader. Retrieved 2019-06-13.
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