Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) enplaned 206,010 passengers between January and June 2026, the highest first-half total in airport history. The figure surpassed the previous record of 196,136, set during the first half of 2025, by 5%. This marks the sixth consecutive year of first-half passenger growth.
Passenger growth accelerated through the spring as the airport entered its peak travel season. May recorded the strongest year-over-year increase of the first half, with enplanements rising 8.5%. June accounted for 52,362 enplanements, the highest monthly total of the first half and a 6.1% increase over June 2025.
“None of this happens without the commitment of our airline partners or the airport staff and tenants who manage that growth every day,” said Patrick Dame, executive director of Rapid City Regional Airport. “The continued growth in passenger traffic makes one thing clear: South Dakota must continue investing in the airport infrastructure needed to support that demand.”
RAP served 419,553 total passengers during the first half of 2026, including 206,010 enplanements and 213,543 deplanements. Total passenger traffic increased 5.1% over the first half of 2025.
RAP is the primary commercial airport serving western South Dakota and the main air gateway to the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park. Passenger traffic is highly seasonal, with summer travel accounting for a substantial share of the airport’s annual volume.
