Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport Prepares for More Traffic

Home prices are rising, the population is growing, and our overall economy is expanding— which means that our airport is also seeing an increase in traffic. In 2017, the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) handled just shy of 1.2 million passengers, and now accounts for 30% of all airline traffic in and out of Montana. With an 8.3% increase in traffic from 2016, this is the 8^th consecutive year of record breaking passenger traffic for BZN.

BZN is the busiest airport in the state, and the 8^th busiest in the Northwest Region of the country (region including Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Oregon and Washington). With passenger levels currently predicted to be 10% higher this summer than previous years, several upgrades and expansions are scheduled to take place within the next few years to accommodate the ever-increasing growth.

• The Largest Parking Garage in Montana

Originally on the airport’s to-do list for 2021, the construction of a 4-story, 1,100 stall parking garage began in December and is now scheduled to be completed by June. The garage (which is estimated to cost $30 million) will contain long-term, short-term, and rental car parking.

• New Terminal Additions

Though not to be completed for several years, a terminal expansion will begin this summer, once the parking garage is complete. The expansion will include three new gates and the ability to handle the inevitable increase in more baggage.

• Main Runway Maintenance

Runway maintenance is required every 15 years. This spring, the main runway is scheduled to close for three weeks to complete maintenance. Between April 30^th and May 19^th, no flights will operate between 12:30pm and 11:00pm. This project will cost the airport an estimated $7 million, although if the airport were to entirely close during this time, it would cost the airport an additional $2 million/day. Other runways will still operate during this three-week period, and the main runway will operate outside of the 12:30 pm to 11:00pm time frame.

• The Addition of a Tower Controller

In order to better handle growing traffic, the airport will add one new tower controller and additional tower hours. With these new additions, tower coverage will span from 5:00am to 1:00am— the current hours of operation are 6:00am to midnight. The new controller will be fully trained and certified by this summer.

BZN serves as a year-round gateway to Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky Resort, and Montana State University. With airline traffic continually increasing every year, it only makes sense for our airport to keep pace as it continues to improve and expand its current facilities to better cater to the growing community.