JJ Skippy
Well-known member
Throughout their existence, North Central Airlines flew predominantly in the Upper Midwest, connecting their hubs in Minneapolis and Detroit to the smaller communities across the region. Most of the small towns seen in this route map don’t receive airline service anymore, so what happened? That’s what I’ll be discussing today in this second part of my unofficial series covering North Central Airlines on MAF.
The Towns & Cities
This route map from 1966 depicts their services across the region, and will be the basis for the communities mentioned in this article. They flew anywhere between Rapid City, South Dakota and Cleveland at this time. Later years would see the airline fly as far west as Tucson, Arizona, and as far east as Florida and Boston.
North Dakota
We begin our journey to North Dakota, which had a total of five NC destinations. All of these communities still receive air service today. Devils Lake is notable in that they have a daily Essential Air Service route (EAS) to another small town in Jamestown, a couple hours to the south by car. In addition, there are also daily flights to Denver on United Express CRJ-200s.
The other airports in ND have seen substantial growth and new terminal facilities. Fargo is currently getting an expansion project done which will increase capacity for the projected demand in the future. Grand Forks has become a base for the University of North Dakota’s flight school. Both Minot and Bismarck have opened new terminals within the 21st century.
South Dakota
Heading to my home state, there are a total of nine destinations on the North Central network. Only Aberdeen, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Watertown receive air service today, with RAP and FSD controlling the majority of air traffic in the state.
In Brookings, North Central began flights in 1957 as part of their Dakotas expansion; Republic left the city in 1981. Yankton is of a similar story, however they received United Express as late as the 2000s. Mitchell began to see NC flights in 1959, and their last air service was Northwest Airlink in the early 90s. Huron saw NC flights beginning that same year, with Republic leaving the airport in the early 80s. The last documented air service in Huron was Air Midwest with Beech 1900s in 2005.
Nebraska & Iowa
Only two communities in Nebraska received North Central service; Omaha and Norfolk, the latter of which saw service with Herman the Duck continue until 1982 when Republic left the city. Their last air service was an EAS in 2004. Over in Iowa, Sioux City was NC’s only destination (unless you count Council Bluffs as part of the Omaha metro). Currently, Sioux City receives United Express flights from Chicago and Denver.
Minnesota
Now onto North Central’s hub state in Minnesota, where a majority of their destinations were at the time. A total of 11 cities (including Minneapolis) received NC service at this time. Only Fairmont, Mankato, Worthington, and Winona are the communities that no longer have any commercial flights.
Starting in Fairmont, NC began operations in 1959, continuing until the 80s with Republic. Their last airline service was in the mid-90s on commuter airlines. In Mankato, North Central began service in 1960 and concluded their operations at the end of the decade. Imperial Airways briefly operated in Mankato shortly after NC left in 1970, marking the end of airline flights in the area. Landline bus service existed as well through Sun Country Airlines between 2019 and 2023. Worthington last received Herman planes in 1985, while their final commercial flights were part of the EAS program in 1999. Currently, the remaining communities all have EAS flights to Minneapolis on Delta Connection. They previously operated CRJ-200s, but with them being retired, they are now operated on the CRJ-700. Winona had North Central service through the 50s and 60s.
Wisconsin
Next up is North Central’s original home state. Another 11 communities here were served by Herman. Beloit/Janesville, Sheboygan and Stevens Point no longer have commercial service. Beloit started receiving NC in 1950 and continued through Republic until 1981. Their last air service operated a few years later. Sheboygan lasted until 1974 on the network. Stevens Point remained on the network through the Republic days until 1985.
Eau Claire and Rhinelander are the two EAS communities, the former of which currently receives Sun Country 737s a few times a week. Rhinelander has three times daily service on Delta using the CRJ-700.
Michigan
Next is Michigan inside the Great Lakes region. 20 communities, including Detroit, were on the North Central route network. Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Jackson and Menominee no longer receives air service. Battle Creek has become a general aviation airport and has the Western Michigan University’s flight school there. Benton Creek’s last air service was Mesaba Airlines entering the 21st century from Detroit. Jackson was served by Republic until 1981 when the service went to Simmons, then back to Republic when Republic Express was formed; Simmons became a feeder carrier for them. Their last service was American Eagle at the end of the 80s. Menominee remained on the Republic network for the first couple years until 1981.
Canada, Indiana, Illinois & Ohio
In 1966, North Central also had one international destination; Sault Ste. Marie in the Canadian province of Ontario. Currently, the airport is served by Air Canada and Porter with Dash 8 Q400s. North Central also operated to Cleveland, a former Continental hub; Chicago, now a major hub for American and United; and South Bend, which has multiple destinations on the legacy carriers plus Allegiant.
And that’s all for Part 2. What else would you like to know about North Central? Please reply and let me know!
The Towns & Cities
This route map from 1966 depicts their services across the region, and will be the basis for the communities mentioned in this article. They flew anywhere between Rapid City, South Dakota and Cleveland at this time. Later years would see the airline fly as far west as Tucson, Arizona, and as far east as Florida and Boston.
North Dakota
We begin our journey to North Dakota, which had a total of five NC destinations. All of these communities still receive air service today. Devils Lake is notable in that they have a daily Essential Air Service route (EAS) to another small town in Jamestown, a couple hours to the south by car. In addition, there are also daily flights to Denver on United Express CRJ-200s.
The other airports in ND have seen substantial growth and new terminal facilities. Fargo is currently getting an expansion project done which will increase capacity for the projected demand in the future. Grand Forks has become a base for the University of North Dakota’s flight school. Both Minot and Bismarck have opened new terminals within the 21st century.
South Dakota
Heading to my home state, there are a total of nine destinations on the North Central network. Only Aberdeen, Pierre, Rapid City, Sioux Falls and Watertown receive air service today, with RAP and FSD controlling the majority of air traffic in the state.
In Brookings, North Central began flights in 1957 as part of their Dakotas expansion; Republic left the city in 1981. Yankton is of a similar story, however they received United Express as late as the 2000s. Mitchell began to see NC flights in 1959, and their last air service was Northwest Airlink in the early 90s. Huron saw NC flights beginning that same year, with Republic leaving the airport in the early 80s. The last documented air service in Huron was Air Midwest with Beech 1900s in 2005.
Nebraska & Iowa
Only two communities in Nebraska received North Central service; Omaha and Norfolk, the latter of which saw service with Herman the Duck continue until 1982 when Republic left the city. Their last air service was an EAS in 2004. Over in Iowa, Sioux City was NC’s only destination (unless you count Council Bluffs as part of the Omaha metro). Currently, Sioux City receives United Express flights from Chicago and Denver.
Minnesota
Now onto North Central’s hub state in Minnesota, where a majority of their destinations were at the time. A total of 11 cities (including Minneapolis) received NC service at this time. Only Fairmont, Mankato, Worthington, and Winona are the communities that no longer have any commercial flights.
Starting in Fairmont, NC began operations in 1959, continuing until the 80s with Republic. Their last airline service was in the mid-90s on commuter airlines. In Mankato, North Central began service in 1960 and concluded their operations at the end of the decade. Imperial Airways briefly operated in Mankato shortly after NC left in 1970, marking the end of airline flights in the area. Landline bus service existed as well through Sun Country Airlines between 2019 and 2023. Worthington last received Herman planes in 1985, while their final commercial flights were part of the EAS program in 1999. Currently, the remaining communities all have EAS flights to Minneapolis on Delta Connection. They previously operated CRJ-200s, but with them being retired, they are now operated on the CRJ-700. Winona had North Central service through the 50s and 60s.
Wisconsin
Next up is North Central’s original home state. Another 11 communities here were served by Herman. Beloit/Janesville, Sheboygan and Stevens Point no longer have commercial service. Beloit started receiving NC in 1950 and continued through Republic until 1981. Their last air service operated a few years later. Sheboygan lasted until 1974 on the network. Stevens Point remained on the network through the Republic days until 1985.
Eau Claire and Rhinelander are the two EAS communities, the former of which currently receives Sun Country 737s a few times a week. Rhinelander has three times daily service on Delta using the CRJ-700.
Michigan
Next is Michigan inside the Great Lakes region. 20 communities, including Detroit, were on the North Central route network. Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Jackson and Menominee no longer receives air service. Battle Creek has become a general aviation airport and has the Western Michigan University’s flight school there. Benton Creek’s last air service was Mesaba Airlines entering the 21st century from Detroit. Jackson was served by Republic until 1981 when the service went to Simmons, then back to Republic when Republic Express was formed; Simmons became a feeder carrier for them. Their last service was American Eagle at the end of the 80s. Menominee remained on the Republic network for the first couple years until 1981.
Canada, Indiana, Illinois & Ohio
In 1966, North Central also had one international destination; Sault Ste. Marie in the Canadian province of Ontario. Currently, the airport is served by Air Canada and Porter with Dash 8 Q400s. North Central also operated to Cleveland, a former Continental hub; Chicago, now a major hub for American and United; and South Bend, which has multiple destinations on the legacy carriers plus Allegiant.
And that’s all for Part 2. What else would you like to know about North Central? Please reply and let me know!
