North Dakota’s eight commercial service airports experienced their busiest May on record this year, with a total of 103,068 airline boardings across Bismarck, Williston, Dickinson, Minot, Fargo, Grand Forks, Devils Lake, and Jamestown. The state Aeronautics Commission also approved $16 million in infrastructure grants for public airports in North Dakota. The demand for air travel remains strong, with passenger numbers exceeding those seen during the oil boom days. Boardings were up over the previous year at all airports except Grand Forks and Jamestown, which had planned closures. Bismarck saw a 25.7% increase in boardings, while Fargo and Devils Lake set new records for May with 44,547 and 947 passengers, respectively.
Year-to-date boardings statewide are up 7.1% from 2023, with Bismarck, Dickinson, and Williston experiencing double-digit increases. The average aircraft load in May was 80%, with a low cancellation rate of 0.6%. Travelers can fly nonstop from Bismarck to various destinations such as Minneapolis, Denver, Dallas, and Tampa Bay. The Aeronautics Commission allocated $7.7 million in grants to commercial service airports and $8.3 million to smaller general aviation airports. The funds come from state oil tax revenue and the commission’s Special Fund, which is supported by state tax collections on aviation fuel and aircraft sales. The grants aim to support airport infrastructure projects and enhance economic growth and transportation efficiency.
These grants will assist communities in growing and diversifying their local economies, fostering safe and efficient transportation of people and products. Additional information on the projects and grants can be found on the Aeronautics Commission’s website at aero.nd.gov.
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