The Rapid City Regional Airport is experiencing its busiest year ever, and airport officials are asking people to begin arriving 90 minutes before their scheduled departure to keep things running smoothly.

"Traditionally, the Sturgis rally week is our peak for passenger numbers, but we're experiencing 2007 rally numbers every week this month," airport executive director Mason Short said.

Additionally, airport officials encourage all passengers to visit the Web site tsa.gov for helpful hints to prepare themselves for security screening.

Numbers at Rapid City Regional Airport remain strong despite ominous news about the airline industry's capacity reductions nationwide. Rapid City's air service has experienced an increase of about 25 percent in capacity and passengers so far this year, compared to 2007 through June.

"June passenger, numbers we're very strong," Short said. "July appears to be just as strong."

In June, according to airport records, 86.1 percent of the available seats were filled - called the load factor - which was another monthly record surpassing June 2007's 85.9 percent load factor.

Although this is good news for the airlines, missing a flight may mean that it may take a day or two to leave Rapid City.

"We would encourage all of those in the hospitality industry to spread this news to our visitors as well. Arrive at least 90 minutes before your departure. We prefer that our guests stay in the Hills voluntarily and not face the hassle of missing a flight," Short said.

"We appreciate the confidence the airlines have shown in our market and the level of service that they have provided to Rapid City," Black Hills Air Service Task Force co-chairman Pete Cappa said.

Airport officials are predicting that this year will likely be a record year in passenger boardings. They are anticipating that the airport will exceed 300,000 boardings - or about 600,000 total inbound and outbound passengers.