The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission staff along with Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot Chamber representatives, airport management and several travel agency owners met in Minneapolis with Northwest Airline's management on Monday, February 22, 1999. The purpose of the meeting was to evaluate the progress of the 'Fly North Dakota' program. The 'Fly North Dakota' program is a test business fare program with reduced fares as much as 50% to selected markets; Baltimore-Washington D. C. (Dulles and National), Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago, Phoenix and Los Angeles -Ontario and Orange County airports.

The goal for the Northwest business airfare reductions is to stimulate additional business passenger ridership. More people flying at an affordable price is good for the North Dakota business community. Northwest demonstrated in the months of November and December that revenues were up in some markets. However, this time frame is mainly leisure due to the holidays. The 'Fly North Dakota' program was extended to June 30, 1999 as it was due to expire in March. North Dakota traditionally has peak travel in mid-year months. A 'second-half' push of marketing to inform local and visiting business persons is planned.

"Another meeting is planned in late April to review passenger trends," reported Gary Ness, Director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission.