Rapid City, sD – Rapid City Regional Airport closed 2025 with the highest passenger enplanement total in its history, marking continued growth in air travel demand to and from the Black Hills.
During the calendar year, 452,195 passengers boarded flights at the airport, surpassing the previous record of 427,325 set in 2024. The increase represents 5.8 percent year-over-year growth in enplanements. Since 2023, airport enplanements are up nearly 100,000 passengers, a 28.3 percent increase.
Including both arriving and departing travelers, the airport served 905,211 total passengers in 2025, up 5.7 percent from the prior year.
“Reaching a record like this is about more than one strong year,” said Patrick Dame, Executive Director of Rapid City Regional Airport. “It shows that people are choosing to fly in and out of Rapid City in greater numbers, and that airlines see long-term value in serving this region. We’re proud of the team that keeps the airport running day in and day out, and grateful to the passengers and community who continue to support our airport.”
Rapid City Regional Airport is the only full-service commercial airport serving the Black Hills region and generates more than $500 million in annual economic impact for South Dakota. Continued passenger growth supports tourism, business travel, and long-term regional development.
2025 Passenger Statistics Comparison
| Category | 2025 | 2024 | % Change |
| Enplaned Passengers | 452,195 | 427,325 | 5.8% |
| Deplaned Passengers | 453,016 | 428,923 | 5.6% |
| Total Passengers | 905,211 | 856,248 | 5.7% |
