Rapid City Regional Airport set a new record for Q1 passenger enplanements in 2024, with 70,798 passengers boarding flights. This number exceeds the previous record of 57,695 set in 2019 and represents an increase of 19.7% from Q1 2023.
“Air travel is flourishing in the western South Dakota region, with record enplanement numbers underscoring the increasing demand for our area. A notable contributor to this surge is the uptick in mainline jet activity. The increased size of the aircraft greatly enhances passenger comfort but also necessitates larger airport terminal infrastructure,” said Patrick Dame, the Airport Executive Director.
Rapid City Regional Airport is the only full-service commercial airport for the Black Hills and contributes over $456 million in economic impact annually to South Dakota.
Quarter 1 Rapid City Airport Passenger Numbers
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change 2024 vs. 2023 | 2024 Year-To-Date | 2023 Year-To-Date | % Change 2024 vs. 2023 | ||
| March | Enplaned Passengers | 26,400 | 20,193 | 30.70% | 70,798 | 59,158 | 19.70% |
| Deplaned Passengers | 26,519 | 20,247 | 31.00% | 69,684 | 58,238 | 19.70% | |
| Total Passengers | 52,919 | 40,440 | 30.90% | 140,482 | 117,396 | 19.70% | |
| February | Enplaned Passengers | 21,107 | 17,729 | 19.10% | 44,398 | 38,965 | 13.90% |
| Deplaned Passengers | 20,755 | 17,452 | 18.90% | 43,165 | 37,991 | 13.60% | |
| Total Passengers | 41,862 | 35,181 | 19.00% | 87,563 | 76,956 | 13.80% | |
| January | Enplaned Passengers | 23,291 | 21,236 | 9.70% | 23,291 | 21,236 | 9.70% |
| Deplaned Passengers | 22,410 | 20,539 | 9.10% | 22,410 | 20,539 | 9.10% | |
| Total Passengers | 45,701 | 41,775 | 9.40% | 45,701 | 41,775 | 9.40% |
