North Dakota’s eight commercial service airports recorded 103,350 passenger boardings in January, a 2% decrease compared to the record setting January 2025, according to the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission.

Even with the slight year-over-year decline, January 2026 ranks as the second busiest January in state history, the commission reported.

Airlines provided 137,321 departure seats statewide in January 2026, a 2% increase over the prior year. The increase in available seat capacity reflects continued airline confidence in North Dakota’s markets, with carriers maintaining and modestly expanding winter service levels, the commission stated.

Minot International Airport saw 12,970 boardings in January, which was down 6.36% from the previous year.

Fargo Hector International Airport achieved a new monthly passenger record with 49,186 passenger boardings. The previous record for the airport for the month of January was set in 2025 with 48,037 passengers.

The Devils Lake Regional Airport established a new January passenger record with 704 boardings, surpassing its previous January record of 644 set in 2025.

Jamestown’s airport was the only other commercial airport showing an increase, with boardings up from 705 in January 2025 to 748 in January 2026. Dickinson’s airport experienced a 16.16% decline; Grand Forks 10.5%.; Williston 6.1%; and Bismarck 3.8%.