Noise and Airspace

While BZN brings economic and social benefits to the surrounding communities, it also brings noise. Living next to Montana's busiest airport means residents can expect regular air traffic and associated noise. Over the past several years as the community around BZN has grown and air travel has expanded, aircraft noise has surfaced as a community concern. BZN serves the communities of Belgrade, Bozeman, Yellowstone National Park, Big Sky Resort, Montana State University, and countless other destinations around southwest Montana. Passenger numbers in 2024 exceeded 2.6 million and airport operations (takeoffs and landings) surpassed 120,000. 

BZN is still developing and evolving as a vital air transportation hub for both our local community and tourism market. Tower operations (takeoffs and landings), passenger numbers, size of aircraft, and load factors (numbers of passengers per aircraft) are continuously increasing. General Aviation (GA) traffic is also at an all-time high spearheading BZN's northside development. Statistics indicate growth is still at the forefront of BZN's future. View our statistics page to see reports on traffic trends. 

When it comes to airspace around the airport, there are different authorities in charge of various aspects of its use and regulation. The United States Government has exclusive sovereignty of airspace of the United States. (This is based on 49 U.S. Code § 40103.) Appointed by government, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has the sole authority to regulate all navigable airspace such as ensuring air traffic remains safe and efficient. BZN's Gallatin Airport Authority (GAA), is responsible for the land the airport sits on by managing property, buildings, infrastructure, and the airport itself. Under no circumstance, is the GAA able to control flight operations such as: flight schedules, number of flights, aircraft type, or flight paths. These decisions are made by the FAA to ensure safety and coordination.

By filling out the submission form below, the airport will be able to locate specific areas of the community where residents have raised concerns. This information will be shared with the FAA as a way to keep them informed. While we understand the community's concerns and are committed to sharing the feedback we receive, it is important to note that any action regarding these issues is beyond our jurisdiction and falls entirely under the FAA's authority. 

The GAA has acquired approximately 1,000 acres of land surrounding BZN through a combination of grant funding and generated airport revenue. A key objective of the GAA for over 25 years has been to own land within the FAA designated 65 DNL noise contour. This strategic acquisition of land enables the airport to safeguard mandatory clear zones and mitigate incompatible land uses near airport property. In collaboration with local authorities, the airport has worked closely with the county to ensure subdivision and neighborhood developments, within 5 miles of BZN, are informed of their proximity to the airport. Furthermore, the airport has engaged with the county, city and planning zoning departments to maintain land availability for commercial industrial development and agriculture use. 

Many GA aircraft fly in a "pattern" around the airport. Patterns are designated predetermined flight paths followed by aircraft when taking off, landing, or performing touch-and-go traffic maneuvers at the airport. The airport traffic pattern ensures organized air traffic flow and is vital for the safety of aircraft, pilots, and the airfield. There are many factors that can affect the pattern such as wind direction and runway in use that are consistently monitored by Air Traffic Control (ATC).