BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – North Dakota’s eight commercial service airports posted a total of 69,285 airline passenger boardings during the month of May.

The demand for air travel has seen a steady recovery in recent months and has currently leveled to approximately 30% below pre-pandemic numbers. The industry has attributed the recent passenger growth to a recovery in leisure travel that has been ongoing due to warmer weather and a release of penned up demand.

“We hope that the current trends continue and that our state maintains and grows in its demand for airline services as we move into the summer months.” stated Kyle Wanner, Executive Director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission. “Aviation is one of the safest ways to travel and I encourage everyone to consider their local airport as an option as they make any future travel plans.”

At the Jamestown Regional Airport, there were 924 boarding’s reported for the month of May 2021, up from 179 last year. The airport has seen 3,455 passengers so far in 2021, up from the 2,634 at the same time one year ago.