The Bismarck Municipal Airport had a healthy increase in passenger boardings for 2006, officials say.

In fact, the state itself showed marked stability, pulling ahead of national averages for boardings, according to data.

"All the indicators are saying that we should continue to see a continued rise,"said Gary Ness, director of the state aeronautics commission. "Looking back over the history, I'd say that's pretty safe to predict."

Bismarck itself had a 4.3 percent increase in enplanements for 2006, according to data. That's below earlier predictions of a nearly 7 percent increase, but still a healthy margin over 2005's strong year, said Greg Haug, airport manager.

The end of the year was particularly turbulent on Bismarck's enplanements, with passenger numbers leveling out beginning in September, according to the data. At the end of December, the numbers were at a year low, down 5.1 percent, when flights were canceled due to the Denver International Airport's weather-related shutdown.

But the numbers aren't discouraging, Haug said.

"Anytime when we can do 3 to 5 percent growth in any one year, we're happy,"Haug said. "The last few years, we've had some better growth, some months better than others."

The eight North Dakota commercial airports increased total annual passenger boardings by 5.7 percent, exceeding the national average of 3 to 4 percent, said Ness.

State boardings have hovered just below 6 percent increases over the last several years, Ness said.

Tourism traffic increased in the state, with the new Las Vegas service, according to data. But the passengers are still trending toward business travel, Ness said, adding that travel was 55 percent business, 45 percent pleasure. Quite the change from less than five years ago, when travel was 60 percent vacation, 40 percent business.

A lot of that business travel is reflected in Williston's 16.1 percent increase in passenger boardings, and 21.9 percent increase in passenger deplanements. The airport will continue to thrive around an area that's ripe with oil and coal business.

"We're seeing more indicators in the business community that's healthy,"Ness said.

The Devils Lake, Minot and Grand Forks airports all experienced decreases in boardings, although Devils Lake had a 3.1 percent increase in deplanements.

Williston had the largest increase in boardings, then Dickinson with an 11.4 percent increase. Fargo came in at 10.9 percent, and Jamestown was at 7.3 percent.

"Overall, we're pretty satisfied,"said Haug with the Bismarck airport. "2005 was a fantastic year. If we can build on 2005 and increase our numbers in 2006, and see some continued growth in to 2007 and 2008, chances (for success) are pretty good."

(Reach reporter Crystal Reid at 250-8261 or at crystal.reid@;bismarcktribune.com)