BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – North Dakota’s eight commercial service airports during the month of May posted a total of 13,474 passengers boardings.

Due to impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, these numbers amount to a statewide decline of 86% of the normal passenger volume that the airports were previously expected to see during this month.

Airline passenger levels in North Dakota and throughout the rest of the country are beginning to slowly rise from the historically low passenger numbers that were previously seen in April. In that month, North Dakota airports experienced approximately 5,000 passengers or a statewide decline of 95% from the normally expected passenger volume.

“It’s an encouraging sign to see that our airline passenger numbers are beginning to rise from the historically low numbers that our state and nation recently experienced in April.” stated Kyle Wanner, Executive Director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission. “We hope that this trend continues as economic activity increases and restrictions throughout the country are lifted. The safety of all passengers and workers continues to remain a top priority and the flying public can be assured that extra sanitary precautions are being taken so that a safe environment is being promoted within the airport and on board the aircraft.”

Jamestown Regional Airport reported 179 boarding’s for the month of May. For 2020 so far, there have been a total of 2,634 boardings.