The Rapid City Regional Airport saw a record-breaking number of people last month.
Patrick Dame is the executive director.
“So this past month, we ended up breaking 50,800 passengers, actually breaking 50,000 for the first time ever, for any one month here at the airport. So, it's been a great summer.”
That’s a 15% increase from the previous record set in July 2019, with just over 44 thousand passengers.
The airport suffered a significant decrease in travelers when the pandemic began. But Dame thinks people are ready to travel again. He anticipates even higher numbers this month.
“You know, anytime they can go, you know, hike in our great parks that we have here, I think that's something that folks feel comfortable with. It's really been great for communities that are tourism based, like Rapid City here. And, you know, we've seen a very good benefit from that.”
Dame says airport traffic is hyper-seasonal and decreases in fall and winter.
The airport is still enforcing COVID-19 precautions. Masks are required inside the airport and on all flights.
This story comes from a recent interview on SDPB's weekday radio program, "In the Moment." Listen to the full interview below.