North Dakota\u2019s commercial service airports finished calendar\nyear 2023 with a statewide total of 1,136,828 airline passenger boardings. This\nis a growth of 108,669 passengers and an 11% overall increase from calendar\nyear 2022. Seven of the airports also finished the year with higher passenger\ncounts than in 2022 and Fargo and Devils Lake recorded their best year on\nrecord. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2023, the airports also tallied 1,137,485 passenger\ndeplanements for a grand total of 2,274,313 passengers (arrivals and\ndepartures) that traveled through the commercial service terminal buildings of\nNorth Dakota over the past year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The aviation industry has been adversely affected since the\nbeginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when the country experienced a significant\ndecline in passenger numbers beginning in March of 2020. That year, airline\npassenger demand dropped by over 50% and North Dakota recorded an annual total\nof 572,093 passenger boardings. Since that time, airline passenger demand has\nseen a remarkable recovery, and the current data reveals that air travel demand\nremains strong in North Dakota. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The current growth in passenger demand bolsters the\njustification for airlines to look to add more flights, destinations, and seat\ncapacity to North Dakota\u2019s airports. Airlines, however; continue to cite\nchallenges in their ability to upscale as they continue to grapple with a\nshortage of pilots and other aviation related jobs. The need for a growing\naviation workforce will continue to create opportunities for our youth to\nconsider a career in the aviation sector. Pilots, aircraft mechanics, airport\noperators, and unmanned aircraft technicians are just a few of the exciting\ncareer options that are projected to continue to be in high demand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite all challenges, North Dakota continues to provide\nthe public with a high level of air service availability as the state\u2019s\nairports provide the public with six continual non-stop destination options and\nan additional four seasonal non-stop options. All eight of the commercial\nservice airports in North Dakota also continue to provide their communities\nwith reliable jet service options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNorth Dakota’s airports achieved an impressive 11% annual\nincrease in passengers during 2023 and have officially rebounded from many of\nthe pandemic-induced challenges,\u201d stated Kyle Wanner, Executive Director of the\nNorth Dakota Aeronautics Commission. The\nnumbers tell a story of determination and growth while also showcasing the\nstate’s commitment to providing our citizens and guests with strong and\nreliable air service. As we look to the future, the aviation industry will\ncontinue to support our diversifying economy while also providing incredible\ncareer opportunities for the next generation.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Calendar Year 2023 Boarding Records:<\/p>\n\n\n\n