BISMARCK – North Dakota continues to post record airline passenger numbers, according to the September report of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission.

Last month, North Dakota airports recorded 103,559 passenger boardings, setting a new all-time high for the month of September. This surpasses the previous record of 98,371 set in 2024 – a 5% year-over-year increase, representing nearly 5,200 additional travelers. It also marks the first time airline boardings in North Dakota exceeded 100,000 in the month of September, the commission reported..

Seven of the eight commercial airports posted growth compared to last September, contributing to the state’s seventeenth consecutive month of record-breaking passenger traffic.

Minot International Airport recorded 13,749 passenger boardings in September, up 10.7% from 2024.

Airline capacity also expanded throughout the state, with 131,149 total airline seats available for purchase in September, which was up from 126,120 one year ago. Scheduled airline departures throughout North Dakota increased to 1,781 flights, compared to 1,567 in September of 2024. The average statewide aircraft load factor held strong at 79%, reflecting continued demand for current air service levels, commission statistics showed.

The state currently remains on pace to close out 2025 with its highest-ever annual passenger traffic. Minot has seen 1134,874 boardings so far in 2025, up 8.7%.

“North Dakota airports continued to see record-breaking passenger traffic, highlighting the strength of our state’s air service network,” said Kyle Wanner, executive director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, in a news release. “Although the federal government shutdown that began in early October is still ongoing, travelers can be confident that airline operations continue to remain on schedule and that our airports are fully prepared to continue to serve passengers.”

Highlights during September included Sun Country Airlines’ launch of seasonal nonstop service twice weekly through Dec. 15 from Williston Basin International Airport. The Fargo and Devils Lake airports set new boarding records for September.