Bemidji Regional Airport (BJI)

Bemidji Regional Airport (KBJI (BJI)) is a public airport located in Bemidji, Minnesota, United States, serving as a vital transportation hub for Northern Minnesota.

Type of Facility and Operations: The airport is open to the public and primarily facilitates general aviation, alongside commercial airline services, air taxi, and military operations. It is served by SkyWest Airlines, operating as Delta Connection for Delta Air Lines, offering daily flights to Minneapolis-St. Paul. Additionally, four cargo airlines utilize the airport. Bemidji Regional Airport also supports private flying, with Bemidji Aviation Services, Inc. acting as a full-service Fixed Base Operator (FBO), providing 24/7 services including passenger charter, cargo services, aviation fuel, aircraft mechanical work, and hangar space. The airport does not have a control tower.

Notable Features and History: Established in 1932 as an all-way field, the airport has undergone significant development. It was designated a "secondary defense airport" by the U.S. Government in 1944. Commercial air service commenced in 1952. The airport's name was officially changed to "Bemidji Regional Airport" in 2005 to better reflect its regional importance. In 2009, ownership and operation transitioned to an Airport Authority. The facility boasts two asphalt runways: 13/31, measuring 7,004 feet, and 7/25, at 5,700 feet, both equipped with precision and non-precision instrument approaches. Major renovations and expansions, particularly in 2009 and 2012, significantly upgraded the terminal, more than doubling its size and capacity to comfortably handle aircraft up to Boeing 737-800/900s and Airbus 319/320s. Notably, Bemidji Regional Airport is one of four locations for Sanford Health AirMed, providing medevac services. In September 2020, the airport gained national attention when President Donald Trump was notified of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's passing there.

Current Status: Bemidji Regional Airport currently spans over 1,880 acres. It is recognized as the fourth busiest passenger terminal in Minnesota, serving approximately 30,000 passengers annually. As of the latest reports, there are no operational issues. The airport continues to enhance its facilities, with a new T-Hangar and a self-serve 100LL fuel system anticipated to be completed by 2025.