BISMARCK, N.D. (North Dakota Aeronautics Commission) – North Dakota’s eight commercial service airports during the month of August posted a total of 43,559 passengers boardings.

This is higher than the statewide passenger volume that was seen in each of the last four months and amounts to a 43% retention rate of the passengers that North Dakota experienced during the same month last year.

The recovery in passengers continues its positive trend for North Dakota as well as many other airports throughout the country, though the numbers still remain far below pre COVID-19 levels. North Dakota’s airline passenger demand has also been recovering faster than the national average which is currently estimated to be at 29% of pre-pandemic levels.

“When comparing current passenger throughput to pre-pandemic levels, North Dakota’s airline passenger retention is an estimated 14% higher than the national rate.” stated Kyle Wanner, Executive Director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission. “The higher airline passenger retention in our rural state reflects North Dakota’s resilience and shows the importance that air service has to our communities. Our state’s ongoing recovery in air travel demand also shows that the travelling public is trusting the safety enhancements that our airports and airlines have put into place to accommodate COVID-19 concerns.”