North Dakota among USA's hottest states for airport growth

North Dakota airports continue to rank among the fastest-growing among all U.S. states.

Statewide, cumulative airline boarding at the state's eight large airports jumped 9% in September as compared with the same month in 2012.

North Dakota's airports have been posting strong year-over-year growth rates for the past four years.

As for the September numbers, the state Aeronautics Commission says the Sloulin Field International Airport near Williston led the way with a 247% increase, or 5,623 more passengers than in September 2012. Williston is in the heart of the "oil patch" in the booming western portion North Dakota.

Year-to-date boardings at the state's eight big airports also are up more than 10% from last year. From January through September, the airports had more than 843,000 boardings, up more than 79,000 from a year earlier.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.