Commercial Air Service:
Daily commercial service to Minneapolis - St. Paul is provided by Northwest Airlink, a partnership of Mesaba Airlines and Northwest Airlines. Regional jet service is available during the summer months.

General Aviation:
Services for private pilots are available from Einarson Flying Service; the INL Fixed Base Operator.

Rental cars:
The airport is served by Avis, Hertz and National rental car companies. Telephone numbers for the airport rental counters are listed in the

Airport Directory.

Port of Entry:
International Falls is a designated international Port of Entry to the United States. U.S. Customs provides services at Falls International Airport, at the International Bridge in downtown International Falls and at the bridge in nearby Ranier, Minn.

Free Parking:
Free long-term and short-term parking are available in the main airport lot.

Wireless Internet:
Wireless internet is now available throughout the terminal building.

photos courtesy of Jim Mason/Daily Journal

In the years before World War II, private pilots who wanted to land their single-engine planes in the vicinity of International Falls had to make do with a small grass runway south of Highway 11.

When the war ended in 1945, the City of International Falls cast an eye to the future and formally established Falls International Airport. During the following year, two paved runways were constructed, and a terminal building was added to the site in 1948. An extension of the original 3000-foot main runway in 1953 allowed commercial air service to begin that same year.

Koochiching County became an airport partner in 1962, when a joint ownership agreement was signed with the City. One of the first such agreements to be completed statewide, it set the stage for continuing progress and development at Falls International.

That year the main runway was lengthened to 5000 feet, and another 1500-foot extension was completed in 1969. The original terminal building was expanded in 1973, but by 1979 had made way for a new facility, which was dedicated by Walter Mondale, a Minnesota native son then serving as U.S. Vice President. The main runway was also renovated and widened during that same busy construction season.

New landing aids, including a second ILS/MALSR, as well as paved runway shoulders and reconstructed apron areas are among the more recent improvements to Falls International.



On the agenda for the 2006 construction season are another extension of the main runway to 7400 feet in length and the erection of an airfield perimeter fence, which will increase security and provide protection from wildlife hazards.

The City of International Falls and Koochiching County remain proud parents of what has now become a world-class airport, and the entire community retains its longstanding commitment to providing the highest possible level of safety and convenience for travelers.

Extension of Runway 13/31: During the 2006 construction season, the main runway at Falls International Airport will be extended to a length of 7400 feet from its current length of 6500 feet.

The $3 million project, which was in the planning stages for nearly five years, will be completed with a combination of federal and local funding. The new runway will allow the airport to accommodate a wider range of aircraft and will enhance commercial aircraft seating capacities during the warm summer months. Construction will begin in August and is expected to be completed by October 1.

Airfield perimeter fence: Preparations for construction of a 10-foot fence around the airfield perimeter began in the spring of 2006. When completed, the fence will provide greater security overall and will help to prevent wildlife incursions. The $2 million fence project will be funded with federal grant dollars, combined with city and county contributions.

A complete overview of upcoming airport capital improvements is available at the MnDOT Office of Aeronautics website.