Airline boardings in North Dakota halfway through the year are up 8% from 2023, thanks in part to the busiest June on record.
Boardings at North Dakota's eight commercial service airports in June reached 102,030, up 12% from June 2023 and surpassing the previous record for the month of 100,067 passengers in June 2014, according to the state Aeronautics Commission.
“The record-breaking passenger numbers that we have been experiencing over the recent summer months is excellent news for the economic vitality of our state,” Commission Executive Director Kyle Wanner said. "Our airports are thriving and they continue to work hard to offer excellent service and connectivity for our residents and visitors."
kyle wanner.jpg
Kyle Wanner
All airports saw passenger increases in June except Grand Forks (down 5.5%) and Jamestown, where the airport was closed from May 7 through June 13 for a planned pavement rehabilitation project. The airport reopened on June 14 but saw a 75.6% decrease in boardings for the month.
Increases were: Minot, 9.4%; Dickinson, 10.1%; Devils Lake, 12%; Fargo, 12.8%; Bismarck, 14.5%; and Williston, 38.6%. The Fargo and Devils Lake airports set records for June with 45,301 and 887 passengers, respectively. The previous June record for both airports was last year.
All airports expect Grand Forks (down 2.9%) and Jamestown (down 26.1%) also are ahead of last year's boardings pace halfway through the year: Fargo, up 3%; Dickinson, 9.9%; Minot, 12.9%; Bismarck, 13.8%; Devils Lake, 24.6%; and Williston, 31.8%.
The average aircraft load statewide in June was 78%. There were 1,466 flight departures and 74 cancellations, for a cancellation rate of 4.8%.
Delta Air Lines had the largest North Dakota market share during the month, at 39%, followed by United with 25% and Allegiant with 18%. American had 14% and Frontier 4%.
Travelers can fly nonstop out of Bismarck to Minneapolis, Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Orlando and Tampa Bay.
The full June boardings report is at bit.ly/3Ls2zYW.
Airport grants
Meanwhile, some airports in central and western North Dakota are getting a share of millions of dollars in federal funding for various projects, according to U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R- N.D.
The money is through the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program and Airport Infrastructure Grant Program. Much of it is for work at the Dunseith and Fargo airports.
Also getting money are airports in Tioga ($91,393), Dickinson ($104,660), Minot ($300,000), Kenmare ($365,573), Ashley ($375,871), Williston ($722,627), Mandan ($722,732) and Linton ($813,149).
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