The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) has released its 2024 annual report, revealing a historic year for airline passenger traffic at the state’s eight commercial service airports.
Air travel in North Dakota has experienced a remarkable surge in 2024, with a 10% year-over-year increase and exceeding 1.2 million passenger boardings for the second time in the state’s history. This achievement surpasses the previous record that was set during the oil boom of 2014 and marks a significant milestone for North Dakota’s aviation industry.
“This success reflects the dedication of our airports, airlines, and communities in ensuring that North Dakota remains a leader in air service quality and accessibility,” said Kyle Wanner, Executive Director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission. “We are proud of these accomplishments and remain focused on supporting continual growth and expanding the opportunities that aviation provides for our residents, visitors, and businesses.”
2024 Key Statistics
Record Passenger Traffic: A total of 1,246,520 airline boardings occured in 2024, an increase of 109,692 passengers and a 10% increase from 2023. This surpasses the previous record of 1,242,995 boardings from 2014. This December also marked the eighth consecutive month of record-breaking passenger totals across the state’s commercial service airports.
Total Passenger Numbers: Combined enplanements and deplanements (arrivals and departures) reached 2,486,510 passengers that traveled through the state’s airports throughout calendar year 2024.
Enhanced Connectivity: North Dakota airports currently offer six year-round nonstop destinations and four additional seasonal nonstop options.
Widespread Growth: Six of North Dakota’s commercial airports reported year-over-year passenger growth.
Individual Milestones: The Fargo and Devils Lake airports achieved all-time record-breaking passenger counts during calendar year 2024.
The aviation industry in North Dakota has demonstrated extraordinary resilience since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In that challenging year, annual boardings dropped by over 50% and under 600,000 passengers. The recovery and growth since that time underscores the strength of air travel demand and the critical role that aviation plays in connecting North Dakota to the worldwide economy. The last economic impact of aviation study that was conducted by the ND Aeronautics Commission identified that the public use airports in North Dakota cumulatively provide over $1.6 billion in annual economic benefits to the state.
Aviation Industry Opportunities
As passenger demand continues to grow, the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission emphasizes the importance of maintaining and expanding airport infrastructure throughout the state. These investments allow for increased flight availability, destinations, seat capacity, and lower ticket prices across the state’s airports. The recent growth also highlights career opportunities that are available within the aviation sector, including roles for pilots, aircraft mechanics, airport operators, and unmanned aircraft technicians – fields that are projected to experience sustained demand.
Looking Ahead
North Dakota’s aviation industry is well-positioned for continued growth, and the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission remains committed to working with our communities to enhance air travel infrastructure, advocating for increased air service, and fostering opportunities for future aviation professionals.
Individual Airport Calendar Year 2024 Boarding Records:
The Fargo Hector International Airport achieved a new annual passenger record with 546,787 passenger boardings. The previous calendar record for the airport was set in 2023 with 516,071 passengers. This growth has prompted North Dakota’s only Small Hub airport to move forward with a terminal expansion which began construction in the spring of 2024 with a planned completion towards the end of 2026.
The Devils Lake Airport also achieved a new annual passenger record with 9,538 passenger boardings. The previous calendar record for the airport was set in 2023 with 8,087 passengers.
View the 2024 Calendar Year Airline Boarding Report
Calendar Year 2024 Statewide Airline Passenger Statistics
- Total Airline Passenger Boardings: 1,246,520
- Available Airline Departure Seats: 1,525,801
- Average Aircraft Load Factor: 82%
- Total Passengers (Arrivals & Departures): 2,486,510
- Number of Successful Airline Departure Flights: 18,404
- Number of Airline Departure Flight Cancellations: 250
- Airline Departure Flight Cancellation Rate: 1%
