Falls International Airport is administered by the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission, which is a Joint Powers board of the City of International Falls and Koochiching County. The airport Joint Powers Agreement , one of the earliest of its type in the state, reflects the successful partnership of city and county in the creation of a full-service airport.

The agreement calls for a commission made up of two members of the International Falls City Council, two members of the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners and a citizen representative, who is nominated by the City Council and appointed by the County Board.


After many years of service as a city representative on the commission, Robert "Bob" Anderson became citizen representative in 1986 and has served as chair since that time.

Current Airport Commissioners serving with Chairman Anderson are City Councilors Tim "Chopper" McBride and Paul Eklund, and County Commissioners Wade Pavleck and Charles "Chuck" Lepper.

Einarson Flying Service Inc., currently owned and operated by Thor Einarson and family, has provided site management services at Falls International Airport for many decades. Einarson's also functions as the airport Fixed Base Operator and provides a wide range of general aviation services.

The commission relies heavily on its engineering consulting firm, Short Elliott Hendrickson of St. Paul, and on the experienced guidance of SEH senior engineer Ray Strege. SEH provides a full range of engineering services to the commission in the planning and execution of its long-range capital improvements.

Airport administration is handled by commission secretary Susan Baratono, who works closely with the airport manager, the airport consulting engineers, the MnDOT Office of Aeronautics and numerous federal agencies to coordinate commission projects and project financing.

The commission holds its regular meetings once each month and special meetings as needed. To obtain information about the meeting schedule or to contact members of the commission, please call the airport secretary at 218-283-0738.

Questions about the airport site and airport operations can be directed to Airport Manager Thor Einarson at 218-283-4461.


Zoning for Falls International Airport is controlled by a zoning ordinance adopted in 1979. That original ordinance is currently under revision to accommodate changes to the Airport Master Plan and airport infrastructure.

As with the Airport Commission, the Airport Zoning Board and the Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment are made up of two members of the International Falls City Council, two members of the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners and a citizen member nominated by the city and approved by the county. The Zoning Board and the Board of Adjustment meet on an as-needed basis.

The Koochiching County zoning administrator also serves as administrator for the airport zoning ordinance.

More information about the ordinance, the Airport Zoning Board and the Airport Zoning Board of Adjustment are available by calling 218-283-0738 or click the link above to view the ordinance.