Tester Secures $2.5 Million for Glacier Airport’s Terminal Expansion

Funding will come from Senator’s bipartisan infrastructure law;

Tester has secured more than $20 million for the airport this year

As a direct result of his bipartisan infrastructure law, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced he has secured $2,500,000 to expand and upgrade the terminal at Glacier Park International Airport. This grant will fund the airport’s terminal expansion and modernization project, which includes improvements to gates and ticket areas, hold rooms, checkpoint lanes, utilities upgrades, and building envelope upgrades to improve efficiency, capacity, and accessibility.

This funding, awarded through the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Terminal Program, comes from Tester’s bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Tester negotiated the IIJA with a group of five Republicans, four Democrats, and President Biden, and was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to support the legislation.

“Glacier Park International Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the state with more folks coming in and out of the Flathead Valley every day,” said Tester. “I’m proud to have secured this funding for the airport’s expansion project to keep up with growing demand, and ensure that folks in the Flathead have the critical infrastructure they need to run their businesses and stay connected.”

Tester has led the charge to upgrade Montana’s airport infrastructure to attract more regular and cheaper flights to the state. This year, Tester has secured more than $20 million through his bipartisan infrastructure law to support the expansion project at Glacier Park International Airport. 

He previously secured approximately $144 million for Montana’s airports through the IIJA, which will be awarded over five years between 2022 and 2026. This funding can be used to construct or repair runways and taxiways as well as make terminal and gate improvements. Tester has also led the effort to lower costs and expand access to reliable air service in rural communities.

In May, Tester successfully included key priorities to increase affordable air service in legislation to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including the Small Community Air Service Enhancement Act that will help small airports compete for grants to attract new air carrier service to their communities and reauthorization of the Essential Air Service program (EAS) to ensure Montana’s rural communities continue to have airline service options connecting them to larger hubs.