The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) is proud to announce that North Dakota has been selected as the recipient of the NASAO Center Aviation Education Program Award in recognition of its outstanding efforts to advance aviation education through the Fly-ND Aviation Career Expo. Presented annually by the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), this […]
North Dakota
Summer Air Travel Demand in North Dakota Stays Strong in August
The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) has released its monthly airline passenger report for the state’s eight commercial service airports. In August 2025, North Dakota airports recorded 112,982 passenger boardings, setting a new all-time high for the month of August. This surpasses the previous record of 108,035 set in 2024—a 5% year-over-year increase, representing nearly […]
FAA Awards Over $15 Million to Grand Forks Airport for Primary Runway Reconstruction
North Dakota Senator John Hoeven (R-ND), a member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Committee, announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $15,157,068 to support critical multi-phase infrastructure improvements at Grand Forks International Airport, including the reconstruction and upgrade of the primary runway and taxiway pavement and lighting that have reached the end of […]
North Dakota Sets New July Passenger Record with Over 122,000 Boardings
The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) has released its monthly report detailing airline passenger traffic at the state’s eight commercial service airports. In July 2025, North Dakota’s eight commercial service airports recorded 122,238 passenger boardings, establishing a new all-time high for the month of July. This total surpasses the previous record of 112,141 set in […]
Piper Aircraft Awarded its Largest Domestic Trainer Order in Company History from The University of North Dakota
Students and faculty from UND along with Piper officials gather for a photo during the Piper Prop party at AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI. Photo by Kim Stevens. Piper Aircraft, Inc. announced during AirVenture, a historic new fleet agreement for up to 188 aircraft, valued at approximately $155M, with the University of North Dakota’s John D. […]
North Dakota Completes Landmark BVLOS Medical Drone Delivery
The future of rural aviation took flight last week as iSight Drone Services, in collaboration with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS) and Vantis, North Dakota’s statewide BVLOS system, successfully completed a groundbreaking beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone delivery of medical supplies more than 80 miles of western North Dakota prairie from Williston to Watford City. […]
North Dakota Airports See 10% Growth in Passenger Boardings in First Half of 2025
The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) has released its monthly report detailing airline passenger traffic at the state’s eight commercial service airports. Air travel demand in North Dakota remains strong in 2025, as both residents and visitors increasingly take advantage of the air service options available across the state. During the first six months of […]
Vantis Expands in Grand Forks: NPUASTS, UND Aerospace Foundation Advance Technology-Agnostic UAS Integration
The Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NPUASTS), in collaboration with the University of North Dakota’s Aerospace Foundation (UNDAF), has announced the continued expansion of Vantis, as the system inputs data from a privately owned system for the first time. This latest development marks the integration of the DeTect HARRIER radar system at UND’s Gorman Field. […]
FAA Awards More than $31 Million to North Dakota Airports
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced an award of $31,255,696 through the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for projects at several airports across North Dakota. The funding will be distributed to the following: The FAA AIP provides funding to airports nationwide for planning, capital, and safety enhancement projects.
Cirrus Invests $13M to Expand Grand Forks Manufacturing Facility
Cirrus announced the expansion of its Grand Forks manufacturing facility during a groundbreaking event. Cirrus will invest $13 million to add 30,000 square feet to the current 165,000 square foot manufacturing facility. The expansion will support Cirrus aircraft manufacturing the best-selling single-engine piston aircraft, the SR Series and the best-selling jet, the Vision Jet, with […]
