(Bismarck, ND) – The North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) has released its monthly airline passenger report for the state’s eight commercial service airports.

In September 2025, 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.

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

Airline capacity also expanded throughout the state, with 131,149 total airline seats available for purchase in September—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 also held strong at 79%, reflecting continued demand for current air service levels.

The state currently remains on pace to close out 2025 with its highest-ever annual passenger traffic.

"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. "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."

Air Service Updates:

• Williston Basin International Airport: Sun Country Airlines launched seasonal nonstop service twice weekly (Mondays and Thursdays) to Las Vegas on September 4th, continuing through December 15th.

Individual Airport September Passenger Records:

• Fargo – Hector International Airport set a new September record with 46,258 boardings, surpassing the previous high of 43,663 set in September 2024. This also marks Fargo’s eighteenth consecutive month of all-time monthly highs.
• Devils Lake Regional Airport reached a new August record with 752 boardings, exceeding the prior September record of 699 in 2024.

September 2025 Statewide Airline Passenger Statistics

• Total Airline Passenger Boardings: 103,559
• Available Airline Departure Seats: 131,149
• Average Aircraft Load Factor: 79%
• Number of Successful Airline Departure Flights: 1,781
• Number of Airline Departure Flight Cancellations: 1
• Airline Departure Flight Cancellation Rate: 0.1%

September 2025 Airline Boarding Report

Click HERE to subscribe to future news releases by the ND Aeronautics Commission.