Photo above – The Fargo, Hector International Airport receives the 2024 Commercial Service Airport of the Year award during the North Dakota Aviation Association’s FLY-ND Conference awards banquet on March 4th, 2025. Pictured from left to right is Ryan Riesinger (President of the North Dakota Airport Association), Shawn Dobberstein (Fargo Airport Director), Paula Ekman (Chair of the Fargo Airport Authority), Dean Bresciani (Member of the Fargo Airport Authority), and Kyle Wanner (Executive Director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission)
The Fargo Hector International Airport has been named North Dakota’s 2024 Commercial Service Airport of the Year, while the Stanley Municipal Airport has been recognized as the 2024 General Aviation Airport of the Year. These awards were presented during the North Dakota Aviation Association’s FLY-ND Conference awards banquet, held in Fargo on March 4th, 2025.
Sponsored annually by the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission in partnership with the Airport Association of North Dakota, these awards recognize airports that demonstrate excellence in community outreach, facility management, infrastructure improvements, and the hosting of special events.
Both Fargo Hector International Airport and Stanley Municipal Airport have exemplified outstanding commitment to aviation, economic development, and service to their communities, making them deserving recipients of this year’s honors.
For more information about North Dakota’s airport of the year awards and to view a list of past recipients, visit the ND Aeronautics Commission’s website.
2024 Commercial Service Airport Award
The Fargo, Hector International Airport has been honored for its outstanding contributions to community engagement, aviation excellence, and infrastructure growth. This recognition is made possible through the continued leadership of Airport Director Shawn Dobberstein, whose dedication has been instrumental in driving the airport’s continued success.
Over the past year, the airport has played a key role in fostering connections by hosting student tours for local high schoolers, welcoming civic groups, and partnering with the chamber of commerce for various events. Additionally, through a collaboration with The Arts Partnership, the airport launched ARTWorks, a program that enriches the passenger experience by showcasing local artists and live musical performances in the terminal.
Demonstrating a strong commitment to safety and service, the Hector International Airport has strengthened partnerships with key tenants and implemented advanced training programs to enhance operational efficiency. Recent improvements include the installation of an upgraded security system and the successful completion of a full-scale crisis response exercise conducted in coordination with multiple first responder groups and local municipalities.
As North Dakota’s only small hub airport, Hector International continues to expand to meet the region’s growing travel demand. In 2024, the airport set a new record with 547,000 passenger enplanements. To accommodate this growth, the airport has broken ground on a major terminal expansion project, which will include a new parking ramp, expanded security checkpoints, additional ramp space, and more arrival and departure gates.
This recognition highlights Hector International Airport’s dedication to serving the Fargo-Moorhead community and beyond, ensuring a seamless and enriched travel experience for all passengers.
2024 General Aviation Airport Award
The Stanley Municipal Airport has made significant strides in aviation growth and development which is highlighted by the recent completion of a new turf crosswind runway. This critical safety enhancement allows pilots to land more safely in challenging wind conditions, improving overall airport operations.
The project was made possible through a collaborative effort between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, and the City of Stanley. Together, they ensured all land acquisition, environmental, and planning requirements were met. To fully fund the construction, the airport also successfully secured a grant from their County Job Development Authority which covered the full costs of construction.
Beyond infrastructure improvements, the Stanley Municipal Airport remains deeply committed to fostering community engagement. The airport proudly hosts an annual fly-in and pancake breakfast, bringing together aviation enthusiasts from across the region. It has also provided valuable career exploration opportunities for local high school students through job shadowing experiences, which has helped to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals.
With a strong focus on both safety and community involvement, the Stanley Municipal Airport continues to enhance its role as a vital asset for the region, supporting pilots, travelers, and the future of aviation in North Dakota.
