Williston Basin International Airport

XWA KXWA Williston, North Dakota Elevation: 2,344 ft

Williston Basin International Airport is the primary commercial gateway to the Bakken oil fields and northwestern North Dakota. Located 14 miles northwest of Williston, XWA offers a 7,503-foot runway accommodating most heavy jets with proper weight planning. The airport is one of North Dakota's newest, opened in 2019 to serve the booming oil and gas industry of the Bakken Formation. Dedicated FBO facilities provide private terminals. Estimated charter rates to Williston via XWA: light jets from $4,500 per hour, mid-size jets from $6,000 per hour, heavy jets from $8,500 per hour.

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Transworld Jets Insider Tip

Williston is ground zero for the Bakken oil boom, one of the most significant energy developments in modern American history. The airport sees substantial private aviation traffic from oil industry executives, investors, and service companies. Book well in advance during peak drilling activity periods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can heavy jets land at Williston Basin?

Yes. Williston Basin International Airport's 7,503-foot runway accommodates most heavy jets with proper weight planning, including the Gulfstream G650 and Bombardier Global 6000.

Why is Williston important for private aviation?

Williston is the center of the Bakken Formation oil fields, drawing substantial energy industry aviation traffic. The modern airport (opened 2019) was built specifically to handle the growing oil and gas business traffic.

Why fly private to this area?

Private aviation offers the fastest, most flexible access to this area, bypassing commercial airline schedules and connections. Our brokers can arrange same-day charter flights to match your exact itinerary.