Commercial Air Service:
Commercial Air Service: Daily commercial air service to Minneapolis-St. Paul is provided by Delta/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, Ford 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 World War II 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.



During the 2006 construction season, another extension brought the main runway to its current length of 7400 feet. Also in 2006, an airfield perimeter fence was constructed, increasing security for the entire site and providing protection against 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.

Terminal Building Improvements: Planning will be the focus of activity during the upcoming project season at Falls International Airport, with the terminal building in line for major modernization work or replacement. Beginning in April 2009, the Airport Commission will undertake an extensive and in-depth planning process aimed at determining whether a new building is needed or whether the existing building can be expanded and improved to better serve the traveling public. The planning process will encompass two phases, with construction tentatively scheduled to begin during 2010.

Layout Plan: The Airport Layout Plan will also get an overhaul during 2009, with the aim of incorporating information about new construction, newly acquired properties and any other changes that have occurred since the plan was last updated.

Parking Lot: During the 2008 construction season, the main parking lot at Falls International was rebuilt and an overflow parking area was added.

Hangar Development Area: Also during 2008, work began on a site where hangars for use by private pilots can be constructed in the future. A taxilane and access road are under construction and slated for completion during 2009.

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