The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) has released its July 2026 airline passenger statistics for the state’s eight commercial service airports.
North Dakota’s commercial service airports recorded 117,381 passenger boardings, a decrease of 4% from the 122,238 boardings recorded in July 2025. Despite the year-over-year decline, this represented the second-highest July passenger total on record, trailing only the historic high set last year.
The decline in passenger boardings closely corresponded with a reduction in available airline capacity. Airlines provided 136,667 departure seats during the month, approximately 3.6% fewer than in July 2025, while the statewide average aircraft load factor remained strong at 86%. The continued high utilization of available seats indicates that passenger demand remained resilient despite the reduction in capacity.
Through the first seven months of 2026, North Dakota’s commercial service airports have recorded 760,204 passenger boardings, approximately 2% below the record-setting pace established during the same period in 2025.
Air Service Updates:
- Bismarck: Allegiant has extended its flight schedule through May 2027, including the return of seasonal nonstop service between Bismarck Airport (BIS) and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB). The service is scheduled to operate from February 13 through April 3, 2027.
- Grand Forks: Allegiant has announced the return of seasonal nonstop service between Grand Forks International Airport (GFK) and Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) for the 2027 spring travel season. The service is scheduled to operate from February 10 through April 17, 2027.
Individual Airport July Passenger Records:
- Fargo Hector International Airport established a new July passenger record with 56,359 boardings, surpassing its previous July record of 54,008 set in 2025.
- Jamestown Regional Airport established a new July passenger record with 1,572 boardings, surpassing its previous July record of 1,297 set in 2017.
- Devils Lake Regional Airport established a new July passenger record with 1,521 boardings, surpassing its previous July record of 1,275 set in 2025.
View the July Airline Boarding Report
July 2026 Statewide Airline Passenger Statistics
- Total Airline Passenger Boardings: 117,381
- Available Airline Departure Seats: 136,667
- Average Aircraft Load Factor: 86%
- Number of Successful Airline Departure Flights: 1,835
- Number of Airline Departure Flight Cancellations: 23
- Airline Departure Flight Cancellation Rate: 1.2%
