Bozeman Airport: Efficient Travel With Multiple Gates

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport has experienced significant growth and transformation over the years, evolving from a single-gate airport to a bustling hub with 12 gates and a new 75,000-square-foot terminal. With ongoing expansion projects and increasing passenger traffic, the airport is poised to continue its growth trajectory, solidifying its position as Montana's busiest airport.

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport's history

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (IATA: BZN, ICAO: KBZN, FAA LID: BZN), previously known as Gallatin Field, is located in Belgrade, Montana, United States, eight miles (13 km; 7 nmi) northwest of Bozeman. The airport is owned by the Gallatin Airport Authority and has been Montana's busiest airport since 2013, surpassing Billings Logan in 2013 with 879,221 passengers from June 2012 to May 2013.

In 2011, a terminal expansion designed by Prugh & Lenon Architects was completed, adding three gates and more retail concessions. This expansion built upon previous work by the same firm in 1995 and 1997. Gallatin Field was renamed Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in late 2011 to associate the airport with Yellowstone National Park.

International flights have been allowed since 2012, following the opening of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility on July 1, 2012. In 2013, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport became Montana's busiest airport for passenger service. The airport has continued to expand its services, with an expansion to 31 nonstop destinations in 2020 and 2021.

In April 2023, Summit Aviation began constructing a new facility to support its services for Gallatin College, as well as its own flight training, charter service, and aircraft management services. As of 2024, the airport is undergoing a $180-million infrastructure upgrade and expansion, the largest in Montana's history. This expansion will include the addition of three new baggage carousels, a second security checkpoint, and the potential for three additional gates. The project is expected to be completed within the next 4.5 years.

The airport's terminal expansion

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport has seen several terminal expansions over the years, with the most recent being a $180 million infrastructure upgrade and expansion announced in 2024. This expansion plan includes adding three new baggage carousels, a second security checkpoint, and the potential for three additional gates. This project is expected to be completed within 4.5 years and will be the largest expansion in Montana's history.

In the 1970s, Gallatin Field became an Airport Authority and underwent further expansion with the construction of a new terminal building, apron, taxiways, and access roads. The terminal building was expanded again in the 1980s, adding a second upper-level gate. The 1990s saw continued growth, with expansions to the commercial apron, terminal building, and construction of a new general aviation tie-down apron.

In 2011, a terminal expansion designed by Prugh & Lenon Architects added three gates and more retail concessions. This expansion reflected the airport's desire to create an architecture that is reflective of the real Montana. The terminal expansion framed breathtaking mountain views, creating a unique experience for travellers.

In summary, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport has undergone numerous terminal expansions over the decades to accommodate the growing demand for air travel in the region. The current expansion plan aims to enhance the airport's infrastructure and capacity further, solidifying its position as Montana's busiest airport.

The airport's busiest years

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport has been through several changes and expansions since its inception in the 1920s. The airport currently has 12 gates, with plans to increase this number to 15 in the future.

The airport has experienced significant growth in recent years, with an increasing number of passengers and flights. In 2013, Bozeman Yellowstone surpassed Billings Logan as the busiest airport in Montana for passenger service, with 879,221 passengers from June 2012 to May 2013. This growth continued, and in 2021, the airport expanded its service to a record 31 nonstop destinations. This expansion included new routes and airlines, such as Allegiant Air, Alaska Airlines, Avelo Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the airport in 2020, with a significant decrease in passenger traffic. However, the airport quickly recovered, experiencing record passenger traffic in 2021. This growth has continued, with the airport surpassing 2 million total passengers in a 12-month period from February 2021 to January 2022.

To accommodate this growth, the airport has undergone and continues to undergo, several expansion projects. In 2011, a terminal expansion added three gates, bringing the total to 12 at that time. The airport also has plans for a $180 million infrastructure upgrade and expansion, which will include the addition of three new gates, among other improvements.

With its continued growth and expansion, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is expected to remain one of the fastest-growing airports in the nation.

The airport's infrastructure upgrades

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport has experienced significant growth in recent years, and to accommodate this growth, the airport has undergone and continues to undergo several infrastructure upgrades. In 2024, the airport announced a $180 million infrastructure upgrade and expansion, the largest in Montana's history. This expansion will include three new baggage carousels, a second security checkpoint, and the potential for three additional gates.

The airport's growth has been exponential, with over 1.25 million enplanements in 2024, more than double any other airport in Montana. To keep up with this demand, the airport will be undergoing $300 million worth of capital improvements between 2024 and 2030, funded by FAA grants, facility charges, and operating revenue.

The infrastructure upgrades are necessary to modernise the airport and improve the overall passenger experience. The upgrades will address several key areas, including:

• Baggage system: The airport's baggage system will undergo a much-needed upgrade, with the current system becoming insufficient for the larger number of passengers and aircraft. The new system is expected to cost $25 million.
• Seating and waiting areas: The expansion project in the A concourse will result in expanded seating and larger waiting areas, improving passenger comfort and reducing congestion.
• Baggage claim: The second phase of the terminal expansion included an 82,000-square-foot expansion that added space for outbound baggage on the main level. The third phase, anticipated to be completed by 2027, will further expand and modernise the baggage claim and checked baggage drop areas.
• Gates: The number of gates has been a focus of the airport's upgrades, with the recent expansion adding three gates, bringing the total to 12. The current expansion will further increase the gate capacity by three, and by the time the project is complete, there will be up to 15 gates available.
• Concessions and restaurants: The terminal expansion has also focused on improving the passenger experience through the addition of new retail and food concessions, as well as new restaurants with stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
• Runways and taxiways: Upgrades to the airport's runways and taxiways have also been conducted over the years to accommodate larger aircraft and improve safety. Runway expansions and lighting improvements have been made, and taxiways have been widened, strengthened, and reconstructed.
• Other facilities: The airport has also constructed and expanded various other facilities, including administrative office suites, public spaces, a new fire station, and a multi-level parking garage.

These infrastructure upgrades demonstrate the airport's commitment to enhancing the passenger experience, accommodating increased demand, and ensuring safe and efficient operations. With Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport's continued growth, further upgrades and expansions may be expected in the future.

The airport's future projects

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport has experienced significant growth in recent years, and to keep up with the increasing demand, the airport has outlined several future projects as part of its expansion plans. These projects aim to enhance the airport's infrastructure, improve passenger experience, and accommodate rising traffic.

One of the key projects currently underway is the $180 million infrastructure upgrade and expansion announced in 2024. This expansion is the largest in Montana's history and will include the addition of three new baggage carousels, a second security checkpoint, and the potential for three more gates. This project is expected to be completed within 4.5 years, significantly improving the airport's capacity and functionality.

The airport is also undergoing $300 million worth of capital improvements between 2024 and 2030, funded by FAA grants, facility charges, and operating revenue. As part of this initiative, the airport will undergo a two-year expansion project in the A concourse, resulting in expanded seating in waiting areas, larger baggage claim carousels, and a new restaurant. The number of gates will temporarily decrease from 12 to 10 during this project but will increase to 15 by the time it is completed.

Additionally, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport has several other potential projects in the pipeline. These include the construction of a multi-level parking garage to address the airport's parking challenges and the creation of a ground transportation system to improve connectivity. The airport is also committed to supporting flight schools for pilots and upgrading aviation technology, ensuring that it remains a safe and efficient hub for air travel.

With the airport's focus on expansion and improvement, Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is poised to continue its growth trajectory and provide an even better experience for travellers in the coming years.

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