Grand Forks International (KGFK), North Dakota
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Grand Forks International Airport (KGFK) is a towered, tier-1 public-use airport in Grand Forks, North Dakota, sitting at 845 feet elevation and handling over 30,000 annual operations according to FAA TFMSC data, with business aviation accounting for over 4,100 of those movements in 2025. The field offers both 100LL and Jet A fuel, on-site CBP inspection services with a USDA compliance agreement, and a primary paved runway of 7,351 feet. Its location roughly 265 nautical miles from the nearest major metro area places it as a regional hub for the upper Midwest, supported by nearby fields including Grand Forks Air Force Base just over 9 nautical miles to the west.
Runways
Grand Forks International has four paved runways. The longest, 17R/35L, is 7,351 ft long and 150 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first. Helipads and surfaces under 500 ft are excluded.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Grand Forks International has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Grand Forks International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Grand Forks International recorded 4,165 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in July and October. Business aviation traffic at KGFK concentrates in the mid-to-late year months, with July and October showing the highest monthly operations counts.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month July, 436 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Grand Forks International averages 3.0 days above 90°F in July, 31.0 freeze days in December and 3.5 snow days in December. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 80.7°F, and January the coldest, at 15.8°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Grand Forks International has published operating constraints in five categories: weight restrictions, runway notes, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
Taxiway G, Taxiway N, and Taxiway U are closed to fixed-wing aircraft weighing 12,500 pounds or more.
When the tower is closed, pilots must activate the MALSR on Runway 35L; REIL on Runways 09L, 17R, and 27R; MIRL on Runway 09L/27R; MIRL on Runway 09R/27L; and MIRL on Runway 17L/35R, along with HIRL on Runway 17R/35L, via CTAF. PAPI units on Runways 09L, 09R, 17L, 17R, 27L, 27R, 35L, and 35R operate continuously.
Runway 09R/27L is not available for Part 121/Part 380 operations involving scheduled passenger-carrying operations with more than 9 passenger seats, or non-scheduled passenger-carrying operations with more than 30 passenger seats.
Runway 17L/35R is not available for Part 121/Part 380 operations involving scheduled passenger-carrying operations with more than 9 passenger seats, or non-scheduled passenger-carrying operations with more than 30 passenger seats.
A lighted entrance road is located 1,600 feet east of Runway 17R/35L.
The segmented circle for Runway 17R is unserviceable.
Birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 630/R/C/W/T
PCR VALUE: 150/R/C/W/T
PCR VALUE: 1000/R/C/W/T
Heavy student training activity occurs within 15 miles of the airport.
Customs is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year. Pilots must speak with an officer before arrival using the available phone options.
Personnel and equipment working on the airfield between 2330 and 0600 local time.
Heavy student helicopter training occurs at the airport between the parallel taxiways.
The westernmost 100 feet of Taxiway C1 is an extension of the Bravo apron and is not visible from the tower.
The section of Taxiway C south of Taxiway B, along with Taxiway E and Taxiway S, is not available for scheduled air carrier operations with more than 9 passenger seats or unscheduled air carrier operations with at least 31 passenger seats.
For clearance delivery, if unable to contact on the FSS frequency, contact Minneapolis ARTCC.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Grand Forks International has four airfields within 50 NM. The closest is Grand Forks AFB (KRDR), 9.09 NM west.
Part of the North Dakota and Western Minnesota area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KGFK
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KGFK.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
Does KGFK have customs available for international arrivals?
Grand Forks International Airport offers on-site CBP inspection services along with a USDA compliance agreement. The facility is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round. Pilots must speak with a customs officer before arrival rather than simply landing and requesting service on the ramp. This pre-arrival contact requirement applies regardless of time of day given the round-the-clock staffing. Crews should build this coordination step into their arrival planning at KGFK.
What is the longest runway at Grand Forks International (KGFK)?
The longest runway at KGFK is 17R/35L, a paved asphalt strip measuring 7,351 feet by 150 feet. Grand Forks International also has 09L/27R, a 6,701-foot concrete runway, along with two shorter concrete runways, 17L/35R at 3,901 feet and 09R/27L at 3,300 feet. Both 09R/27L and 17L/35R carry restrictions barring scheduled Part 121/380 passenger operations above 9 seats and non-scheduled operations above 30 seats. The field also lists numerous 60-foot turf helicopter pads. Total paved runway capacity tops out at 7,351 feet on the primary strip.
Are there operational restrictions on taxiways at KGFK?
Yes, Grand Forks International Airport restricts several taxiways by aircraft weight and operation type. Taxiways G, N, and U are closed to fixed-wing aircraft weighing 12,500 pounds or more. Separately, the sections of Taxiway C south of Taxiway B, plus Taxiway E and Taxiway S, are not available for scheduled air carrier operations with more than 9 passenger seats or unscheduled operations with at least 31 passenger seats. Dispatchers routing larger aircraft at KGFK should account for these taxiway limitations when planning ground movement.
When are the airfield lights activated when the tower is closed at KGFK?
At Grand Forks International Airport, pilots must activate lighting themselves via CTAF when the tower is closed. This covers the MALSR on Runway 35L, REIL on Runways 09L, 17R, and 27R, and MIRL on Runways 09L/27R, 09R/27L, and 17L/35R, plus HIRL on Runway 17R/35L. PAPI units on Runways 09L, 09R, 17L, 17R, 27L, 27R, 35L, and 35R operate continuously rather than requiring pilot activation. KGFK is a towered field, so this arrangement only applies outside tower operating hours.
Is there notable training activity around KGFK that pilots should expect?
Grand Forks International Airport reports heavy student training activity within 15 miles of the airport, along with heavy student helicopter training conducted at the field itself between parallel taxiways. Pilots operating in the vicinity of KGFK should anticipate a high volume of training traffic, including rotorcraft movements close to taxiway infrastructure. Bird activity has also been reported on and in the vicinity of the airport. These factors combine to create a busier local traffic environment than the airport's runway count alone might suggest. Crews should monitor CTAF and tower frequencies closely for training aircraft.