Missoula's Airport: Does It Exist?

is there an airport in missoula

Missoula Montana Airport, also known as Missoula International Airport (Johnson-Bell Field), is located in Missoula County, Montana, approximately four miles northwest of the City of Missoula. Missoula's first landing strip was laid out in 1923, and the current airport opened in 1941. The airport is an integral part of the western Montana regional airport system and provides connections to several major US cities. Missoula Montana Airport is also home to a US Forest Service smokejumper base and the Museum of Mountain Flying.

Characteristics Values
Name Missoula International Airport (Johnson-Bell Field)
Location Missoula County, Montana, approximately four miles northwest of the City of Missoula
Airlines Alaska/Horizon, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, and United
Markets served (non-stop) Salt Lake City, UT; Minneapolis, MN; Atlanta, GA (seasonal); Los Angeles, CA (seasonal)
Direct flights 16 major markets (Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Oakland, Orange County, Phoenix/Mesa, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle)
Restaurants 1 full-service restaurant and 1 coffee shop
Shops 2 gift shops
Other facilities A real estate office, a travel company, fuel storage, ground access, infrastructure support, maintenance buildings, and land for future development
Control tower height 101 feet (one of the tallest in the Pacific Northwest)
Special features Home to the largest aerial firefighting depot in the US, the Museum of Mountain Flying, and a U.S. Forest Service smokejumper base

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Missoula International Airport is located in Missoula County, Montana, four miles northwest of the City of Missoula

Missoula International Airport, also known as Johnson-Bell Field, is located in Missoula County, Montana, approximately four miles northwest of the City of Missoula. Missoula's first landing strip was laid out in 1923, south of the university, and its first true airport opened in 1927 near the Western Montana Fair Grounds. The current airport opened in 1941 with WPA funds and, when it opened, boasted the longest runways in the region. A new passenger terminal was constructed in 1954, and in 1961, a new control tower began providing air traffic control services to aircraft flying in and out of the Missoula valley.

The airport is an integral part of the western Montana regional airport system and the transportation infrastructure of the region. It is served by six airlines: Alaska/Horizon, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, and United. There are direct flights to 16 major markets, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, and Denver, and connections to thousands of destinations. The airport is also home to Neptune Aviation, an aerial firefighting company, and the Museum of Mountain Flying, which is the only one of its kind in the nation.

The Missoula International Airport has undergone several expansions and improvements over the years. In 1994, the main passenger terminal was renovated and doubled in size. In 2018, construction started on Phase 1 of a new terminal, the South Concourse, which was completed in 2022. The airport is also planning for a new parallel runway to accommodate the increasing number of regional jets.

Located in the vibrant region of northwest Montana, with its varied landscapes, charming small towns, and eight counties to explore, Missoula International Airport provides visitors with a favourable first impression of the state. The airport offers various support facilities, including fuel storage, ground access, infrastructure, maintenance buildings, and land for future development.

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Missoula Airport is home to a US Forest Service smokejumper base, the largest of seven in the nation

Missoula International Airport (Johnson-Bell Field) is indeed an airport in Missoula, Montana. Missoula's first landing strip was laid out in 1923, and the current airport opened in 1941. The airport is named after Missoula's aviation pioneers, Bob Johnson and Harry Bell. It is an integral part of the western Montana regional airport system and the transportation infrastructure of the region.

The Missoula Airport is home to a US Forest Service smokejumper base, the largest of seven in the nation. The airport also houses Neptune Aviation, an aerial firefighting company, and the largest aerial firefighting depot in the United States. The Museum of Mountain Flying is also located near the main terminal.

The airport has undergone several expansions and renovations over the years, including the construction of a new control tower, which is one of the tallest in the Pacific Northwest. The main passenger terminal has been expanded, and the airport now offers various amenities, including restaurants, a coffee shop, gift shops, and travel services.

The Missoula Airport serves as a gateway to Western Montana, providing direct flights to 16 major markets and connections to thousands of destinations. It is one of the fastest-growing airports in the northwest, experiencing significant growth in passenger statistics. The airport is easily accessible via Interstate 90 and provides a favourable first impression of Montana for visitors.

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Missoula Airport is served by six airlines and has direct flights to 16 major markets

Missoula International Airport (Johnson-Bell Field) is located in Missoula County, Montana, approximately four miles northwest of the City of Missoula. Missoula's first landing strip was laid out in 1923, south of the university, and its first true airport, Garden City Airport (later renamed Hale Field), opened in 1935. The current airport, Missoula County Airport, opened in 1941 with WPA funds and is named after Missoula aviation pioneers Bob Johnson and Harry Bell. It is the third airport in Missoula and has been expanded and renovated several times since its opening. The airport is served by six airlines: Alaska/Horizon, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, and United. It offers direct flights to 16 major markets, including Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Oakland, Orange County, Phoenix/Mesa, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle. Connections to thousands of other destinations are also available.

The Missoula Airport is an integral part of the western Montana regional airport system and the transportation infrastructure of the region. It is also home to a U.S. Forest Service smokejumper base, the largest of seven in the nation, and Neptune Aviation, an aerial firefighting company. The airport features various support facilities, such as fuel storage, ground access, infrastructure, maintenance buildings, and land for future development. It also has two restaurants, two gift shops, a real estate office, and a travel company.

The Missoula Montana Airport has undergone significant expansion and improvement projects over the years. In 2018, construction began on Phase 1 of a new terminal, the South Concourse, which was completed in 2022. This was followed by the demolition of the old terminal in 2023. The airport also constructed a new 101-foot-tall control tower, one of the tallest in the Pacific Northwest. Expansion efforts have included increasing parking spaces, building new taxiways and ramps, installing advanced lighting and navigation systems, and improving terminal roadways.

The airport is also known as "The Gateway to Western Montana" and provides visitors with a favourable first impression of the state. It serves as an important hub for those visiting Montana to explore its natural attractions, such as Glacier National Park, with its varied landscapes offering opportunities for outdoor activities like running and hiking. The airport's convenient location and infrastructure contribute to its role as a vital gateway to the region.

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Missoula Airport is named after Missoula's aviation pioneers, Bob Johnson and Harry Bell

Missoula Montana Airport (IATA: MSO, ICAO: KMSO, FAA LID: MSO) is located in Missoula County, Montana, four miles northwest of the City of Missoula. Missoula's first landing strip was laid out in 1923, south of the university. The Missoula County Airport opened in 1941, replacing the original Garden City Airport, which had been renamed Hale Field in 1935 and closed in 1954. The Missoula airport was renamed the Missoula International Airport in 1968 and, more recently, the Missoula Montana Airport in 2021.

Missoula Airport is named after Missoula's aviation pioneers, Bob Johnson and Harry O. Bell. Johnson was a mountain flying pioneer and the founder of Johnson Flying Service (now Minuteman Aviation). Bell was the first president of the Missoula chapter of the National Aeronautic Association, which played a crucial role in establishing Missoula's first airport. The airfield was originally named Hale Field but was changed to Johnson-Bell Field in 1968 to honour the two men.

The airport is a vital part of the western Montana regional airport system and the transportation infrastructure of the region. It serves over 750,000 passengers a year, offering non-stop flights to Salt Lake City, UT; Minneapolis, MN; Atlanta, GA (seasonal); and Los Angeles, CA (seasonal). The airport is also home to Neptune Aviation, an aerial firefighting company, and a U.S. Forest Service smokejumper base, the largest of seven in the nation.

Due to increased patronage, several expansion projects have been completed in recent years, including a new terminal, a taller control tower, and expanded security screening areas. In 2024, funding was secured to begin construction of an eastward terminal expansion, including four new gates, an expanded baggage claim area, and a new rental car centre. The airport also became one of the few in the country to allow non-ticketed persons to visit areas past security.

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Missoula Airport is one of the fastest-growing airports in the northwest

Missoula International Airport (Johnson-Bell Field) is indeed an airport in Missoula, Montana, and is one of the fastest-growing airports in the northwest. Missoula's first landing strip was laid out in 1923, but the current airport opened in 1941 with WPA funds and has been growing ever since. The airport is named after Missoula's aviation pioneers, Bob Johnson and Harry Bell, and a bronze plaque honouring them is located inside the main terminal.

The airport is a vital part of the western Montana regional airport system and the transportation infrastructure of the region. It is located in Missoula County, Montana, approximately four miles northwest of the City of Missoula. The airport provides visitors with a favourable first impression of Montana and has various support facilities, including fuel storage, ground access, infrastructure, maintenance buildings, and land for future development.

Missoula Airport has been continuously expanding to accommodate its growth. In 1994, the main passenger terminal was renovated and doubled in size, and in 1998, the Airway Boulevard interchange was completed, providing a direct link from Interstate 90 to the airport. More recently, in 2018, construction started on Phase 1 of a new terminal, the South Concourse, which was completed in 2022. The airport also plans to build a new parallel runway to accommodate the increasing numbers of regional jets.

The airport is home to six airlines: Alaska/Horizon, Allegiant, American, Delta, Frontier, and United. It offers direct flights to 16 major markets and connections to thousands of destinations. MSO, as the airport is also known, averages several hundred operations per week and is home to the largest aerial firefighting depot in the United States, as well as the Museum of Mountain Flying.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the Missoula Montana Airport is located in Missoula County, Montana, approximately four miles northwest of the City of Missoula.

The Missoula Airport provides support facilities such as fuel storage, ground access, infrastructure, maintenance buildings, and land for future development. The airport also has two restaurants, two gift shops, a real estate office, and a travel company.

The Missoula Airport has undergone several expansions and improvements over the years. Recent expansions have included increased parking spaces, new taxiways and ramps, advanced lighting and navigation systems, and a new terminal roadway. The airport is also planning for a new parallel runway to accommodate the increasing number of regional jets.

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