In 2008, the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission’s system plan predicted that the state’s airports combined would reach 1 million enplanements in 2030.
That level was reached in 2012, and growth has continued since.
The rapid growth of demand for air service in the state – due almost exclusively to the Bakken oil boom – is stretching the seams of airport infrastructure and is showing no signs of slowing.
“Since the oil boom came into play in North Dakota, we saw an immediate need of approximately $300 million [in airport infrastructure improvements and expansions] across the whole state just because of the incredible growth,” says Kyle Wanner, director of the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission, noting that pre-boom, the state’s airports typically shared about $30 million in funding from the Federal Aviation Administration and another $2 million or so from the state.
Neither the state nor the country has ever experienced such a sharp demand increase in such a short time. Although North Dakota’s overall enplanement numbers remain very small, the state has averaged a 12 percent annual increase in enplanements since 2009, and some airports have experienced triple-digit gains.
Overwhelming Growth
The Bakken oil formation, centered in the northwestern portion of North Dakota, brought a slew of oil companies and workers, along with related companies, to the once-rural area, prompting sharply increased demand for all types of services, including air travel.
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