FAA Archives - KVRR Local News

Reactions To Department Of Transportation Demanding More Civility From Airline Passengers

Department of Transportation Urges Passengers to Act with More Civility

The campaign has provoked mixed reactions from travelers and officials alike.

November 20, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – While some recent instructions from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have raised eyebrows, experts say that it is true that people can be frazzled when flying. “You have to remember that for most travelers, flying is such an aberration to their usual activity that anything that adds to the stress can be a nightmare,” said Skyler McKinley,…

Faa Prepares To Ground Some Air Travel; Could Affect Connecting Flights Outside Fargo

Travelers Wonder About Impacts to Hector International While FAA Cutback Looms

The airport is not one of the 40 that will see its flight volume cut by 10% on Friday, but every airport that flies direct from Hector is on that list.

November 6, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Employees of the Federal Aviation Administration are considered essential workers, so they’ve kept showing up through the shutdown, but they’ve now missed two paychecks, and frustrations are climbing. Hector International is not one of the forty airports in the United States that are going to see their flight volume cut by 10 percent on Friday. However,…

Tribe explains why it impounded a plane after an emergency landing in October on Red Lake Reservation

November 3, 2025

TJ Nelson,

RED LAKE, Minn. (KVRR) — Red Lake Tribal Council says an investigation continues into the emergency landing of a plane on the reservation that was then impounded by the tribe. They say Darrin Smedsmo was piloting the plane that made an emergency landing on Red Lake Reservation on October 15. They also say they are glad Smedsmo is safe and…

FAA approves $15 million to upgrade runway and infrastructure at GFK

September 17, 2025

TJ Nelson,

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) — The FAA has awarded over $15 million for infrastructure improvements at Grand Forks International Airport. That includes the reconstruction and upgrade of the primary runway and taxiway pavement and lighting that have reached the end of their useful life. Reconstruction will be completed in three phases. The overall project is estimated to cost $60 million,…

Pilot walks away from crop-spraying plane crash near Horace

August 7, 2025

Alison Voorhees,

HORACE, N.D. (KVRR/KFGO) — The pilot is believed to be okay after crashing a crop-spraying airplane about three miles west of Horace Wednesday night. The FAA says the pilot was the only person aboard the Air Tractor 301, A fixed wing, single-engine aircraft. The report says the plane crashed in a cornfield. The pilot reported a mechanical issue and attempted…

Airport Funding Secured for North Dakota

The largest federal grants will go to Fargo and Bismarck.

July 11, 2025

Gabriel Ostler,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded about $31 million to airports across North Dakota. The largest chunk of that allocation – $13.4 million – will go towards the terminal expansion and other construction projects at Hector International Airport in Fargo. Next in terms of monetary value is $10.3 million to rehabilitate taxiways and runways, reconstruct…

Bipartisan Legislation To Bolster Air Traffic Control Workforce Includes UND Role

February 25, 2025

TJ Nelson,

WASHINGTON, D.C. (KVRR) — On the same day of another airplane mishap: a Southwest flight was forced to abort landing at Chicago’s Midway International Airport after a private plane crossed the runway, a bipartisan group of senators are working to get more air traffic control positions filled. They have introduced legislation to address staffing shortages and improve working conditions. It would…

UND To Offer Enhanced Air Traffic Control Program To Help Fill Jobs Nationwide

December 9, 2024

TJ Nelson,

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) — The FAA is taking steps to alleviate the lack of air traffic controllers and UND is a part of the solution. Aviation students will be able to participate in an enhanced air traffic control program in the spring semester. The FAA and UND signed a memorandum of understanding to officially establish the program which will…

FAA Grants Drone Visual Line of Sight Waiver To Grand Forks Fire Department

August 12, 2024

TJ Nelson,

GRAND FORKS, N.D. (KVRR) — Grand Forks Fire Department is granted an FAA waiver to fly drones beyond the visual line of sight in emergency situations. It will allow them to be able to assess large fires, conduct aerial searches and help locate missing people in challenging environments. Fire Chief Gary Lorenz says the waiver enhances their situational awareness and…

Groundbreaking Ceremony Monday for Hector International Expansion Project

June 30, 2024

TJ Nelson,

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — Local and state leaders will be at Hector International Airport on Monday morning at 10 for a groundbreaking ceremony. Gov. Doug Burgum and Sen. John Hoeven will be on hand as the terminal expansion and parking garage project begins. The nearly $200 million project includes expanding the current terminal to nine gates, an apron expansion and…