But the number of passengers aboard those flights has significantly decreased, according to Rhonda Chambers, director of aviation at the airport.

Coming into March, the number of booked flights was anticipated to be 14% more than what it was in March 2019.

The virus took all that away and then some, though.

Vacation plans fell through. Business conferences were rescheduled.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Caroline Newman, gate agent for Air Choice One, holds up a plane ticket at the airport. Boardings have significantly decreased since March when a state of public health disaster was declared due to the threat of COVID-19.

And after all of the cancellations, the airport’s boardings ended up decreasing by 45% compared to the same time period in 2019.

“Based on current passengers booked for April and May, I think that decrease will continue,” Chambers said. “Nobody is booking tickets and understandably so.”

The drop in ridership numbers is being experienced across the aviation industry.

The Transportation Security Administration reported that on April 2, 2019, about 2.4 million passengers went through U.S. TSA airport gates. On April 2, 2020, 123,021 passengers were screened by TSA.

The airport is considered essential and will remain open.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Two aircraft are on the air carrier apron at the Fort Dodge Regional Airport Wednesday.

“Our situation is fluid,” Chambers said. “Every day is different. The airlines are continuing to fly. Airports are listed as an essential business. We have to be able to transport people who have a need to go somewhere, including those essential personnel across the country. We are required to be open and allow that transporation to occur.”

Passengers who choose to fly Air Choice One out of Fort Dodge can go to St. Louis, Chicago or Minneapolis.

“If someone needs to travel, they can still book tickets,” Chambers said.

In terms of any government assistance for the loss in boardings, Chambers isn’t sure yet what funding is available.

“We are working toward different avenues for grants,” Chambers said.

Construction projects anticipated for the summer are still a go as far as Chambers is concerned.

The runways are supposed to be treated with an oil-based emulsion on top of the pavement later this summer.

“The FAA hasn’t given us any indication that we can’t do that,” Chambers said.

Chambers said the airport is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines in terms of its instructions for additional cleaning.

“Airlines have enhanced their cleaning procedures,” she said.

On Wednesday, Chambers was using a tape measure to demonstrate safe social distancing.

At the airport terminal, that’s the equivalent to three carpet squares in the flooring.

All city staff at the airport remained employed as normal, Chambers reported.

Regulations for the airport to remain open continue to be met.

“It’s really important to the Fort Dodge airport, the commision, that we remain committed to our travelers and tenants,” Chambers said. “When business is rescheduled, we will be here and ready to go.”