North Dakota Sets New All-Time Airline Passenger Record in 2025
North Dakota’s eight commercial service airports recorded 1,322,791 airline passenger boardings, surpassing the previous record set in 2024 and marking the first time the state has exceeded 1.3 million departing passengers in a single year. This represents an increase of 76,271 passenger boardings and a 6 percent year-over-year growth rate, continuing a multi-year trend of sustained momentum. When combined with arriving passengers, more than 2.6 million total airline passengers traveled through North Dakota’s commercial airports in 2025.
Posted 1/20/26 (Tue) read more »
Warren Pietsch to be Inducted into North Dakota's Aviation Hall of Fame
The North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame will soon welcome one of the state’s most accomplished aviators and most respected stewards of aviation heritage. Warren Pietsch of Minot has been selected as the Hall of Fame’s 51st inductee in recognition of his lifelong commitment to aviation, his leadership in preserving historic aircraft, his service to the State of North Dakota, and his impact on pilots and aviation enthusiasts around the world.
Posted 1/15/26 (Thu) read more »
Airline Passenger Traffic Impacted by Federal Shutdown, State Remains on Pace for Record Year
In November 2025, North Dakota airports recorded 101,211 passenger boardings, representing a 2 percent year-over-year decline compared to November 2024, or approximately 2,000 fewer travelers. This decline ends eighteen consecutive months of record-breaking passenger growth statewide, while Fargo’s nineteen-month streak of record passenger activity also came to an end—both largely due to impacts associated with the extended federal government shutdown. Despite this temporary interruption, North Dakota remains on pace to finish 2025 with its highest-ever annual passenger total.
Posted 12/16/25 (Tue) read more »
Amid Shutdown, North Dakota's Air Travel Kept Soaring
The federal government shutdown, which began on October 1st, had minimal impact on North Dakota’s airports during the month of October. Of the nearly 1,800 scheduled airline departures statewide, only one flight was canceled during the entire month. In October 2025, North Dakota’s airports recorded 116,294 passenger boardings, setting a new all-time high for the month of October. This surpasses the previous record of 112,273 boardings set in 2024—a 4% year-over-year increase, representing more than 4,000 additional travelers.
Posted 11/13/25 (Thu) read more »