Duluth International Airport plans to invest millions in infrastructure in coming years

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) - A new report from the University of Minnesota highlights the huge role Duluth International Airport (DLH) plays in the region’s economy.

According to the report, DLH generates $1.4 billion each year and supports just over 4,000 jobs, statistics that were praised by Duluth Area Chamber of Commerce President Matt Baumgartner at a press conference at Cirrus on Wednesday.

“The economic impact is staggering,” Baumgartner said. “The jobs that come out of here improve the business conditions of this area.”

While economic uncertainty is leading U.S. airlines to slash earnings forecasts, Duluth Airport Authority Executive Director Tom Werner says DLH isn’t seeing the same.

“Our January and February passenger numbers are the strongest they’ve been since right before the pandemic, and we were on pace to set a record that year in terms of passenger service,” Werner said.

He says some markets saw a boom in vacationing after the pandemic and are now seeing a retraction, but passenger numbers at Duluth have made a slow and incremental climb, driven in part by all the industry in the region.

The news conference also outlined capital investment projects for the next few years.

Leaders say replacing an aging air traffic control tower is at the top of their priority list.

“It’s critically important,” Werner said. “We have the third oldest air traffic control tower in the country that’s currently in service.”

Design for the air traffic tower is finished, so construction can begin as soon as federal and state funding is secured.

Werner said they’re working closely with lawmakers and feel confident they will secure the needed funds.

Leaders say the nearly $150 million they plan to spend over the next five years will be more than paid back in the benefits the region will see—a sentiment that was echoed by Duluth Mayor Roger Reinert.

“The Duluth Airport acts as a catalyst for regional growth by attracting new investments, facilitating the expansion of our existing business, and positioning our region as an attractive place for economic development,” Reinert said.

In addition to replacing the tower, airport leaders plan to build a new hangar and reconstruct the primary parallel taxiway.

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