Rapid City Regional Airport: Record Passenger #s in 2023; Economic Impact Profiled
Rapid City Regional Airport Set a new record for passenger enplanements in 2023
RAPID CITY, S.D. (01/15/2024) Rapid City Regional Airport set a new record for passenger enplanements in 2023, with 352,388 passengers boarding flights. This number exceeds the previous record of 350,960 set in 2019, and represents an increase of 4.1% from 2022.
"Air service is crucial for the growth and tourism of the Black Hills region. It contributes to a massive positive economic impact on the community. We would like to express our gratitude to our passengers who have helped us achieve this milestone. We also appreciate the hardworking staff of Rapid City Regional Airport who work tirelessly around the clock every day to ensure that our airport remains safe and operational," 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. Our mission is to provide a safe, environmentally responsible, and fiscally self-sustainable operation, ensuring high-quality services and facilities. Our vision is to provide world-class transportation services, enhancing economic growth.
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Rapid City Regional Airport Adds $456 Million Annually to Pennington County's Economy
Rapid City, S.D. (01/09/2024) According to an economic impact study released earlier today, Rapid City Regional Airport contributed $456 million to Pennington County in 2022. That's a jump from $337 million (number adjusted for inflation) based on a study conducted in 2020. Additional data reveals that the airport created over $15.5 million in tax revenue for South Dakota and supported 2,887 jobs.
Patrick Dame, the airport's Executive Director, stated, "These numbers indicate the growth of our region and the rising number of passengers who choose to fly out of RAP every year. The airport plays a crucial role as a leading economic driver in western South Dakota, and we are committed to continuing to make investments that positively impact the quality of life in our region."
The Economic Impact Study contains data compiled and analyzed by Grand Valley State University. Impacts are calculated using IMPLAN modeling, which considers jobs supported by the airport and business tenants, general aviation, business and leisure travelers, airport capital projects, and operations.
In 2022, Rapid City Regional Airport welcomed 338,458 enplaned passengers, ranking as the 149th busiest airport in the United States. To view the full report visit RapAirport.com/category/projects.