The Minot International Airport has been named North Dakota’s 2025 Commercial Service Airport of the Year, while the New Town Municipal Airport has been recognized as the 2025 General Aviation Airport of the Year. These awards were presented during the North Dakota Aviation Association’s FLY-ND Conference awards banquet, held in Minot on March 10th, 2025. […]
North Dakota
Pilots Complete “Fly North Dakota Airports” Passport Program
Multiple pilots were recently presented with awards for participating in the “Fly North Dakota Airports” Passport Program. This program began in North Dakota in 2011 and it rewards pilots who fly to North Dakota’s publicly owned airports, attend FAA safety seminars, and visit North Dakota’s aviation museums. This program promotes safety, continuing education, and encourages […]
North Dakota Airports Post Second Busiest January on Record
The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) has released its January 2026 airline passenger data for the state’s eight commercial service airports. North Dakota’s commercial service airports recorded 103,350 passenger boardings in January 2026, a 2 percent decrease compared to the record setting January 2025. Even with the slight year-over-year decline, January 2026 ranks as the […]
FAA Radar Data Feed Activated in North Dakota
Senator John Hoeven announced last week the activation of the Vantis Federal Radar Data Enclave, a secure integration of unfiltered radar data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with the Vantis system at the Northern Plains Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Test Site. “The Vantis Federal Radar Data Enclave cements North Dakota as the most advanced […]
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 […]
Vantis Enables ISight Drone Services to Expand BVLOS Operations
Vantis, North Dakota’s beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) system, has achieved another significant milestone with the approval of its first drone operator authorized to fly BVLOS across all four Vantis operational volumes, or service areas. ISight Drone Services has received a Part 107 BVLOS waiver, expanding its approved operations into eastern North Dakota and enabling statewide service volumes […]
North Dakota’s Airline Passenger Traffic Impacted by Federal Shutdown, Still on Pace for Record Year
The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) has released its monthly airline passenger report for the state’s eight commercial service airports. 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 […]
U.S. Department of Transportation Awards Over $200,000 to North Dakota Airports
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced an award of $202,000 through the Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program for projects at two North Dakota airports. The funding will be distributed as follows: The AIG Program was established by the fully-paid-for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to provide airports with funding for modernization and […]
Amid Shutdown, North Dakota’s Air Travel Kept Soaring
The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) has released its monthly airline passenger report for the state’s eight commercial service airports. 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 […]
North Dakota Airports Surpass 100,000 Passengers in September for First Time
The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) has released its monthly airline passenger report for the state’s eight commercial service airports. In September 2025, North Dakota airports recorded 103,559 passenger boardings, setting a new all-time high for the month of September. This surpasses the previous record of 98,371 set in 2024—a 5% year-over-year increase, representing nearly […]
