9:21AM, 11/21/2024
Airport Projects
The Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is continuously expanding and rehabilitating the terminal and airfield to further serve the needs of southwest Montana's travelers and local aviation community. See below to learn more about BZN's current and completed projects.
Current Projects
Environmental Assessment (EA)
The Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is conducting an Environmental Assessment to identify and mitigate any potential environmental impacts ahead of proposed airport improvements
What is an Environmental Assessment and why is it being conducted now?
The purpose of an Environmental Assessment (EA) is to determine whether a proposed action, in this case proposed airport improvements, has the potential to significantly affect the human and natural environment.
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is evaluating several proposed improvements, including runway extension and widening, taxi lane and apron construction, water, sanitary sewer, road, drainage and fencing construction, and lighting improvements.
To accommodate these improvements, sections of Airport Road, Lagoon Road, Tubb Road, and East Baseline Road will be removed, with new access being provided by a new proposed roadway connecting Jetway Drive to the Frontage Road (S-205). Some utilities, extensions, and navigational aids will also be relocated, and the turf runway location will be reviewed.
The EA will identify and assess the potential environmental impacts of implementing the proposed improvements and reasonable alternatives.
Why are proposed airport improvements needed?
The recent 2020 Master Plan reflects passenger and aircraft activity at the Bozeman airport is growing. Increased aircraft activity represents a need for additional space, aircraft facilities and redundancy.
The proposed improvements will allow Bozeman Yellowstone Airport to provide capabilities to safely and efficiently accommodate existing and forecasted operations, runway redundancy, provide an area to meet the demand for hangars in a safe and efficient manner, and to meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.
What is the timeline for the EA and proposed improvements?
The EA must be conducted before improvements can begin. The environmental assessment process will take several months to complete. Once the EA is complete, the community will have the opportunity to review the report and provide comments. It is proposed to complete the EA in spring of 2025 with public review, with the potential for the earliest of the proposed improvements to begin construction in summer or fall of 2025.
Project Engagement
August 1 Public Open House
On August 1, 2024, the project team hosted an open house to provide the community with information about the EA process and proposed airport improvements. Exhibits from the open house are below.
How can I get more information?
Updates and opportunities for engagement will be provided throughout the process. To stay up to date, check this page regularly for information and upcoming engagement activities. If you would like to receive email updates, please contact Kristine Fife at kristine@bigskypublicrelations.com.
East Terminal Expansion Project
The Gallatin Airport Authority is pleased to introduce the next chapter of growth and development at the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN). Construction is currently underway in preparation for the largest expansion in our airport’s history, the East Terminal Expansion project (ETEP). ETEP is a multi-phase, $140-$180-million-dollar investment designed to enhance passenger and guest experience, increase capacity, and develop crucial infrastructure to support BZN’s current and future growth.
Construction will target the entire east end of the terminal from baggage claim to the parking garage entrance. The projected completion date for this expansion is 2030. Over the next six years, ETEP will unveil:
- An enhanced A Concourse with larger hold-rooms, modern amenities, additional retail, food and beverage concessions and the capability to expand total gates from 12 to 15.
- An expanded baggage claim area equipped with three high-capacity carousels designed to promote a seamless baggage claim process.
- A second security checkpoint on the east end of the terminal.
- A new third floor to support BZN's Airport Administration Offices.
Phases of ETEP will require temporary infrastructure in order to maintain day-to-day airline and passenger operations alongside terminal construction. Passengers traveling this summer can expect to see various construction sites partitioned-off around the east end of the terminal as crews complete Phase 0 (PH0) or “Enabling Phase.” Upon completion of PH0 this fall, Phase 1 (PH1) will begin later this year with demolition of the north half of the original terminal building, excavation, foundation and structural steel.
ETEP is years in the making and will offer travelers an innovative, contemporary, and efficient airport experience while still embracing the historic lodge-like character that defines our airport. This project is a critical investment to ensure BZN continues to meet the needs of our thriving community, passengers, and southwest Montana for years to come.
ETEP Update as of October 15, 2024
Phase 0 (PH0), the "Enabling Phase", of BZN's East Terminal Expansion Project (ETEP) is wrapping up as construction teams unveil temporary infrastructure around the terminal. This vital phase will ensure daily passenger and airline operations carry on alongside construction. Travelers will notice structural changes within the A Concourse and baggage claim as we prepare for Phase 1 (PH1).
On the airside, staff is gearing up to remove a second boarding bridge from service, temporarily reducing our gate count from 12 to 10. Construction teams merged gates A2 and A3 into one joint passenger hold area and positioned two extended fixed tunnels to boarding bridges in order to serve two parked aircraft where there was previously one. As infrastructure becomes available, newly expanded gates will be reinstated.
Enabling baggage claim for expansion was a crucial component of PH0. Construction teams assembled a temporary linear baggage belt and are preparing to remove baggage belt three from service. In order to mitigate passenger constraints and limitations, personnel are prioritizing this area for swift completion. BZN is projecting the first of three high-capacity carousels to be available by winter 2025/2026.
The Gallatin Airport Authority's Administration Offices are the last element of PH0 to be completed. We are pleased to share that all departments will remain onsite but in dispersed locations. Any travelers seeking Airport Authority assistance will need to follow airport signage and wayfinding.
Following the completion of PH0, PH1 is scheduled to begin later this year with demolition of the north half of the original terminal, excavation, foundation, and structural steel. PH1's greatest endeavor will be shoring the building before demolition begins. This ensures the building's integrity is sound for the safety of passengers and employees throughout construction.
Additional information on ETEP will be shared as the project continues. Have a question about the project? Let us know by filling out a submission form below.
Completed Projects
TSA Checkpoint Queuing Expansion
TSA The Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is pleased to reveal an expanded Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoint queuing area. This expansion has increased the security checkpoint's footprint by 60% further accommodating the chart-topping passenger growth BZN has experienced.
BZN's security checkpoint, now under the direct operation and management of the TSA, handles an average 3,500 passengers per day. This area expansion paired with the TSA's maximized use of the security screening lanes will comfortably sustain our current and projected passenger numbers.
Relocation, of a portion, of the central Montana Gift Corral storefront and completion of the In-line Baggage Handling System paved the way for this expansion. In order to provide sufficient and expanded retail opportunities across the concourse, a new retail location has been installed in the B Concourse. The new baggage handling area provided an opportunity to shift on-screen resolution baggage operations and information technology equipment out of the security checkpoint. Together, these changes created enough space to expand the checkpoint.
BZN Market
The new BZN Market, located in the B Concourse between gates B2 and B3, was designed to enhance passenger experience. The BZN Market offers convenient self-serve concessions, retail stations, and seating with panoramic views of the Bridger Mountain Range. Grab-and-go or stay awhile, the BZN Market serves any traveler's need.
The market is a blend of BZN's historic lodge-like character and contemporary design. This area offers open concept seating, for roughly 70 people, and is not restricted for dining use. The BZN Market will have pre-packaged warm and fresh to-go food options, a coffee bar, and retail. The BZN Market provides passengers space to work, dine, and socialize outside of gate areas.
The BZN Market's atmosphere will feel similar since it is under direct management and operation of SharBert Enterprises. SharBert currently operates BZN's concessions including, Copper Horse and Ross Peak Grill, the Bistro, and Montana Gift Corral stores. SharBert Enterprises has been serving passengers at BZN for over 20 years and we are pleased to see their presence grow in the terminal.
In-Line Baggage Handling System
Behind-the-scenes, BZN has installed a $23-million engineering marvel complete with state-of-the-art Baggage Screening and Explosive Detection technology. This In-line Baggage Handling System upgrade has significantly transformed baggage operations at BZN.
This upgrade is sophisticated and complex awarding it the most electronically advanced system upgrade in BZN history. We are operating a system comparable to Denver International Airport and Salt Lake City Airport but on a much smaller scale. Daily functions and operation of the baggage system are overseen by a specialized maintenance team under the Gallatin Airport Authority.
BZN's baggage handling area is now made up of over 3,300 linear feet of interconnected conveyor belts that systematically control baggage from the ticket counters through TSA screening and delivers them to each individual airline for loading onto baggage carts. On average, BZN handles roughly four thousand bags per day with peak travel periods seeing up to ten thousand departing bags. This system is designed to transport oversized items such as skis and golf clubs in the same process as regular baggage. This capability simplifies the process for both passengers and BZN's airline partners.
Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about a current project, you can contact the airport directly using the form below.
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