BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - North Dakota's oil boom has been a big factor in seven straight years of record airline passenger numbers in the state.
Now that oil prices are falling, officials say it might put a dent in big increases in boardings. But Aeronautics Commission Director Kyle Wanner says the state's economy is strong enough outside of the oil patch that a precipitous drop isn't likely.
Boardings in 2014 were up 23 percent in Williston and up 68 percent in Dickinson. But Wanner says eastern cities also have seen big jumps. He says Fargo had its best year on record, and Jamestown saw a 42 percent increase in boardings last year.
Dickinson airport Manager Kelly Braun says if anything, falling oil prices and production might cause airline passenger numbers to just level off.