Charting the Future: Strengthening North Dakota’s Aviation System By Kyle Wanner
Posted by Mitch Lutze-Morris on Jul. 20, 2025 / Subscribe 0
North Dakota's skies are busier than ever, and its airports continue to become even more essential to the state’s economy and its overall connectivity to the rest of the world. To ensure that our aviation system remains safe, efficient, and prepared for additional future growth - the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission (NDAC) is working to provide an update to the North Dakota State Aviation System Plan and Economic Impact of Aviation Studies.
Why is This Important?
Aviation is a cornerstone of North Dakota’s economy and quality of life. From small rural airfields to major commercial hubs, each airport strengthens local communities, drives business growth, and supports many essential services.
These two studies will provide critical insights to help prioritize resources, guide funding decisions, and shape strategic recommendations for the effective management and development of North Dakota’s aviation system. By proactively planning for the future, the state can ensure that its airports remain safe, resilient, and well-equipped to meet evolving demands. Additionally, the NDAC is working to develop interactive geographic information system (GIS) tools and story maps to help communicate aviation’s value to the public in a more engaging and accessible way.
Ultimately, these updated studies will serve as a roadmap for strengthening airport infrastructure, enhancing safety, and expanding aviation access across North Dakota.
North Dakota State Aviation System Plan
The 2025 North Dakota State Aviation System Plan update will provide a comprehensive assessment of all 89 public-use airports in North Dakota. This study will evaluate current conditions, identify improvement areas, and establish priorities to meet the needs of pilots, travelers, and businesses.
Building upon the last study conducted in 2014, this update acknowledges the significant changes that have shaped North Dakota’s aviation landscape over the past decade.
The updated plan will address six primary objectives:
- Maintaining a Safe Aviation System – Promoting clear approaches, proper land use compatibility, and identifying strategic infrastructure improvements that will preserve and enhance current and future airport operations.
- Enhancing Aviation System Coverage – Evaluation of the public’s accessibility of commercial and General Aviation airports to ensure comprehensive statewide transportation options exist for the traveling public.
- Improving Air Access – Assessing the needs of aeronautical users by improving on-site weather reporting, navigational aids, fueling facilities, and other essential services.
- Leveraging Aviation for Quality of Life – Identifying opportunities to enhance North Dakota’s economic and social well-being through a strong and efficient aviation system.
- Preserving Airport Infrastructure – Identifying facility needs, planning strategies, and funding priorities to support long-term airport preservation and community growth.
- Advancing Aviation Education & Workforce Development – Identifying and providing support to aviation education programs, airport community engagement, and aviation industry initiatives in order to strengthen the state’s aviation workforce and business opportunities.
North Dakota Economic Impact of Aviation
The ongoing efforts to update the Economic Impact of Aviation Study will build upon the previous 2015 analysis and will complement the ongoing State Aviation System Plan by quantifying the economic contributions of each airport and the collective impact of North Dakota’s aviation system.
The findings of this study will illustrate and provide:
- How airports drive economic growth and provide social benefits for residents, visitors, businesses, and our critical industries.
- The return on investment of airport infrastructure, demonstrating how funding improvements lead to economic prosperity and standard of living enhancements.
- Tools and data for local communities to showcase the value of their aviation facilities to elected leaders, stakeholders, and the surrounding community.
This study will include both quantitative data (jobs created, economic output, tax revenue) and qualitative insights (aviation’s broader impact on people’s lives).
Next Steps
The NDAC is currently in the data collection phase and is actively gathering input from travelers, airports, businesses, and the public to assess current aviation operations and future needs. If you have already participated or will be involved in any of these efforts, I sincerely appreciate your contributions in shaping the outcomes of these studies.
To ensure a broad range of stakeholder perspectives, the NDAC has also formed a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) to assist in reviewing the project deliverables. Throughout the duration of the studies, this committee will provide valuable insights, support development efforts, and help to share information within their community and organizations. Additionally, we encourage anyone interested in offering feedback to subscribe for updates and share comments or recommendations on any draft materials posted online.
To stay informed and subscribe for updates, visit 2025ndsasp.com or scan the QR code on this page. At any time if you have concerns, ideas, or recommendations regarding North Dakota’s aviation system, we encourage you to share your input through the website or by contacting NDAC staff directly.
These studies are expected to be completed by the summer of 2026. A significant update will be provided at next spring’s Fly ND Conference, followed by regional public presentations that are planned to occur across the state to encourage in-person discussion and feedback on the findings.
By collaborating with aviation stakeholders and local communities, we hope that these studies will provide data-driven insights and actionable recommendations that will strengthen North Dakota’s aviation network for generations to come. Together, let’s chart a course to ensure continued success for our legendary skies!
Be sure to stay up to date on the latest aviation news. Visit ND Aeronautics Commission's website for more articles and the North Dakota Aviation Association website for the online edition of the Fly-ND Quarterly.
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