North Dakota’s eight commercial service airports saw 1.03 million passenger boardings in 2017, a 1.8% drop from 2016, as well as 1.03 million passenger deplanements for the year.
In total, more than 2.08 million entered the commercial service terminal buildings of North Dakota in 2017.
Passenger numbers are 51 percent higher than they were 10 years ago. The airports in Bismarck, Jamestown, and Devils Lake saw their highest airline passenger numbers ever last year.
The state’s commercial service airports provide eight year-round and two seasonal non-stop destinations. On a daily basis, 55 airline flights depart and there are 3,800 available seats.
“Over the last three years, the state’s airline boardings have been affected by the difficult challenges that the energy and agricultural industries in the state have been facing,” Kyle Wanner, executive director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, said. “Low commodity prices and the low value of the Canadian dollar have all factored into reasons that have resulted in the state’s airline passenger numbers decreasing for a third straight year. Regardless of these challenges, our commercial airline service throughout the state remains strong.”
In 2014, more than 1.2 million passengers flew on commercial flights originating in North Dakota, a record. High agricultural and oil commodity prices and a healthy economy contributed to this growth.
The top destinations in 2017 for North Dakota travelers were Phoenix/Mesa, Las Vegas, Orlando/Sanford, Denver, and Minneapolis/St. Paul.