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BISMARCK, N.D. - The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) has released its 2025 annual report, confirming that calendar year 2025 was the strongest year for commercial air travel in state history.
North Dakota's eight commercial service airports recorded 1,322,791 airline passenger boardings, surpassing the previous record set in 2024 and marking the first time the state has exceeded 1.3 million departing passengers in a single year. This represents an increase of 76,271 passenger boardings and a 6 percent year-over-year growth rate, continuing a multi-year trend of sustained momentum.
When combined with arriving passengers, more than 2.6 million total airline passengers traveled through North Dakota's commercial airports in 2025.
"Reaching more than 1.3 million annual passenger boardings for the first time confirms that North Dakota's air service system is performing at an exceptionally high level," said Kyle Wanner, Executive Director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission. "Our airports are delivering strong demand, outstanding reliability, and disciplined capacity growth that positions North Dakota well for continued growth."
Throughout 2025, North Dakota's airports also maintained an average aircraft load factor of approximately 80 percent in 2025, demonstrating strong passenger demand and efficient use of airline capacity. These performance trends signal strong potential for additional routes, frequencies, and aircraft upgrades across North Dakota's commercial service airports.
Despite challenging winter weather conditions, North Dakota's airports also outperformed national reliability averages, reinforcing the state's reputation as a dependable and operationally resilient air service market.
2025 Key Statistics
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Record Passenger Traffic:North Dakota airports recorded 1,322,791 departing passengers in 2025 - the highest total ever. When including both departing and arriving travelers, more than 2.6 million total passengers used North Dakota's commercial airports.
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Airline Commitment:Total available airline departure seats increased by 118,848 seats in 2025 to 1,644,649, an 8 percent increase from 2024 - a key indicator of airline confidence and future growth potential.
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Flight Frequency Growth:A total of 20,698 airline departures were successfully operated, representing a 12 percent increase over the prior year.
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System Reliability:Only 186 flights were canceled statewide, producing a cancellation rate of less than one percent - well below national averages that typically range from one to two percent.
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Airport Growth:Seven of North Dakota's eight commercial airports recorded year-over-year passenger growth.
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FAA Classification Milestone: For the first time in state history, all eight commercial service airports surpassed 10,000 annual boardings, qualifying every airport for Primary Airport status under Federal Aviation Administration classification guidelines - a designation that strengthens eligibility for federal infrastructure funding. Devils Lake Municipal Airport became the final airport to achieve this milestone in 2025.
North Dakota's aviation industry has demonstrated exceptional resilience since the COVID-19 pandemic, when passenger volumes fell by more than 50 percent in 2020. The continued recovery and growth since that time highlight the essential role of air service in connecting North Dakota to national and worldwide markets.
The most recent statewide aviation economic impact studyestimates that North Dakota's public-use airports generate more than $1.6 billion in annual economic benefits, supporting thousands of jobs and strengthening communities across the state. A new, updated economic impact study is underway and will be released in the summer of 2026. Visit our project websiteto learn more.
Aviation Industry Opportunities
As demand continues to grow, NDAC emphasizes the importance of continued investment in airport infrastructure to support additional flight frequencies, expanded destinations, increased seat capacity, and improved affordability for travelers.
The growth also highlights expanding career opportunitiesacross the aviation industry, including positions for pilots, aircraft mechanics, airport professionals, and unmanned aircraft systems technicians - fields projected to experience long-term workforce demand.
Looking Ahead
North Dakota's aviation system is well-positioned for continued growth. The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission remains committed to working with local communities, airport sponsors, airlines, and federal partners to strengthen air service, modernize infrastructure, and support the next generation of aviation professionals.
Individual Airport Calendar Year 2025 Boarding Records:
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The Fargo Hector International Airport achieved a new annual passenger record with 590,542 passenger boardings, surpassing its previous 2024 record of 546,787. The growth has supported Fargo's ongoing terminal expansionwhich began construction in the spring of 2024 with a planned completion in 2027.
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The Bismarck Municipal Airportrecorded a new annual passenger record with 309,533 passenger boardings, exceeding its previous record of 309,337 set in 2019. The sustained growth at the state's capital city airport has also prompted planning efforts for a future terminal expansion.
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The Devils Lake Municipal Airportalso achieved a new annual passenger record with 10,540 passenger boardings, surpassing its prior 2024 record of 9,538. This milestone marks the first time the airport has exceeded 10,000 annual boardings and allows Devils Lake to be reclassified as a Primary Airport within the Federal Aviation Administration system, improving eligibility for enhanced federal infrastructure funding.
Calendar Year 2025 Statewide Airline Passenger Statistics
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Total Airline Passenger Boardings: 1,322,791
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Available Airline Departure Seats: 1,644,649
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Average Aircraft Load Factor: 80%
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Total Passengers (Arrivals & Departures): 2,639,674
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Number of Successful Airline Departure Flights: 20,698
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Number of Airline Departure Flight Cancellations: 186
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Airline Departure Flight Cancellation Rate: 1%
Calendar Year 2025 Airline Boarding Report
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