North Dakota airline passenger numbers rise 10% in first half of year

(NORTH DAKOTA) North Dakota’s eight commercial airports recorded 654,304 passenger boardings from January through June 2025, up 10% during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, according to the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission. The state also marked its fourteenth straight month of record-high passenger activity, a streak that underscores steady demand and broader air service growth across communities large and small.

June 2025 set a new statewide June record with 108,270 passengers, nearly a 5% year-over-year increase and an additional 4,749 travelers compared with June 2024. The momentum follows a historic March, when North Dakota tallied 123,180 passengers, a 20% year-over-year increase and the highest monthly total in state history.

Officials point to more flights, improved schedules, and better connections to major hubs as drivers of the surge.

“Every corner of North Dakota is benefiting from enhanced air service, with more flights, better connections, and growing access to major hubs. This upward trend is great news for our communities, our economy, and our future,” said Kyle Wanner, Executive Director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission.

Air Service Growth and Airport Highlights

Carriers are adding seats and increasing frequency to meet demand. Key recent changes include:

• United Airlines
  • Added two daily flights to Denver from Minot International Airport, bringing the total to five daily departures.
  • Introduced a fifth daily departure from Williston.
• American Airlines
  • Launched a new daily nonstop to Chicago O’Hare from Bismarck on June 5, 2025, giving central North Dakota a direct link to one of the country’s busiest hubs.
• Delta Air Lines
  • Plans new daily, year-round service from Fargo to Atlanta starting December 20, 2025, improving access to the southeastern U.S. and international connections.

Airport-by-airport highlights:

• Minot International Airport: 15,220 boardings in June, an 8.37% increase from June 2024.
• Jamestown: Largest first-half jump among state airports — 37% increase in boardings vs. first half 2024.
• Fargo’s Hector International Airport: Set a June record with 47,898 boardings, reflecting a strong southeastern North Dakota market.

Operational Performance Metrics

Operational performance remained solid during the late spring and early summer travel push:

• June metrics:
  • Average aircraft load factor: 82%
  • Successful departure flights: 1,785
  • Statewide flight cancellation rate: 0.7%
• May metrics:
  • Boardings handled: 107,560
  • Available departure seats: 129,616
  • Average load factor: 83%
  • Successful departures: 1,716
  • Cancellation rate: 0.5%

These metrics indicate sustained demand and reliable schedules—important for families, business travelers, and visitors connecting through regional hubs.

Economic and Community Impacts

The growth has practical effects beyond airport terminals:

• More flight choices improve chances of reasonable fares and convenient times.
• For businesses, added frequencies shrink travel time and support faster deal-making and recruiting.
• In small communities, fuller air schedules support:
  • Tourism
  • Medical travel
  • College visits
  • Local spending at hotels, restaurants, and services

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, steady service improvements in regional markets often ripple through local economies—especially when load factors stay strong and carriers commit to year-round routes rather than seasonal experiments.

Recent Trend Drivers and Outlook

State officials and airport leaders trace the trend back to mid-2024, when monthly records began to fall as travelers returned and airlines rebuilt capacity. Spring 2025 accelerated that recovery:

• Airlines responded to spring-break and summer demand by adding seats and flights.
• March’s all-time high and June’s new monthly record capped a stretch of month‑over‑month milestones.

Looking ahead, authorities expect continued growth through late 2025 if carriers maintain current strategies:

• Delta’s Fargo–Atlanta flight gives a fresh daily link to a major southeastern hub.
• United’s added Minot and Williston departures expand access to Denver connections.
• American’s Bismarck–Chicago service strengthens central North Dakota’s Midwest reach.

If load factors remain in the low- to mid-80s and cancellation rates stay low, carriers will have reason to keep schedules robust and explore further options.

Security Policy: REAL ID and What Travelers Should Do

Federal REAL ID enforcement for commercial airline travel began in May 2025. North Dakota officials report a smooth transition at airport checkpoints, but travelers without REAL ID-compliant credentials may face extra screening and delays.

How to get ready for REAL ID in North Dakota:

1. Verify your ID status
   • Look for the star symbol on your driver’s license or state ID to confirm it’s REAL ID-compliant.
2. Gather required documents
   • Proof of identity, Social Security number, and two proofs of North Dakota residency.
3. Visit a North Dakota Department of Transportation driver’s license site
   • Bring your documents and complete the application.
4. Pay applicable fees
   • Standard renewal or replacement fees apply.
5. Receive your REAL ID
   • Cards are typically issued within a few weeks.

For federal rules and accepted documents, see the Department of Homeland Security’s REAL ID page: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.

Important: Travelers should verify ID requirements well before planned trips, especially during holidays and peak travel periods. Missing the correct ID can cause delays for yourself and others.

Practical Travel Tips

• Book early for peak dates to secure preferred schedules and fares.
• Check for schedule changes as departure approaches.
• Confirm ID requirements well in advance of travel.
• Consider the broader benefits of improved service when planning travel for medical appointments, family events, or business.

Human Stories Behind the Numbers

The story is more than statistics—it’s about real choices enabled by better service:

• A Bismarck couple can book a same-day round trip to Chicago for medical care.
• A Minot student heading abroad finds workable connections that avoid overnight layovers.
• A Jamestown manufacturer sends technicians to a client site without losing a day to driving.

Those choices become possible when airlines add flights and the system runs on time.

State officials will continue tracking monthly performance, coordinating with airline partners to align schedules with demand, and helping airports plan for capacity needs. With 654,304 passenger boardings already on the books through June, North Dakota’s air travel upswing is no longer a blip—it’s a pattern taking firm hold.