North Dakota airline boardings reach nearly prepandemic levels

(Bismarck, ND) -- The number of people traveling by plane in North Dakota is near prepandemic levels.  

The state's Aeronautics Commission says airline boardings at eight commercial service airports rose to more than one-hundred-thousand in October.  

That's a more than seven-percent increase compared to the same time last year and almost matched the same numbers reached in 2019.  

Officials say the improvements are due to the growth of additional flights and seat availability.  

They expect to continue seeing high passenger demand throughout the holiday season.