Martin Kidston

(Missoula Current) The Missoula Montana Airport is enjoying a record-breaking summer and is receiving an additional $3.4 million in federal funding to complete one of its major projects.

Senator Jon Tester announced the funding last week as part of the latest bipartisan infrastructure bill allocation. The airport received $6 million earlier this year.

Across the state of Montana, airports received a total of $144 million from the Infrastructure Act.

“With more people flying to and from Missoula every day, this new terminal will have a major impact on the local economy and is critical to meeting growing demand,” Tester said. “This funding will make air travel to and from Missoula safer, faster and more efficient.”

As passenger numbers increased year after year, Missoula Airport created a plan for a new terminal and began construction in 2019. Part of the old terminal was demolished and Phase 1 began, which cost around $75 million and took several years to complete.

The first phase opened to passengers in spring 2022 and immediately helped to optimize airport operations and passenger comfort. This phase of the project included four new gates, a restaurant and pub, as well as a gift shop, security and other amenities.

The airport began Phase 2 in late 2022 and the project is now nearing completion. It will include two additional gates, baggage claim and car rental facilities, among other things. The funding announced last week will help pay for this part of the project.

“We have earmarked this for Phase 2 of our terminal, which is scheduled to open in late spring next year,” said airport director Brian Ellestad. “Without this commitment to infrastructure, we would not have been able to complete our new terminal on time.”

The timing for the terminal project couldn’t be better, airport officials said. Last year, the airport set a new passenger record and is on track to break it again this year. In June, the airport saw a 16% increase in passenger numbers compared to last year, and July also saw an increase.

The airport also welcomed Sun Country Airlines’ new service to Minneapolis this year. Last month, it also submitted an application for a Small Community Air Service grant in hopes of securing year-round service to Chicago.

Ellestad said federal funding for the terminal project had been well received.

“We really appreciate the support we have received,” he said.