Tester Secures Nearly $8 Million for Missoula International Airport Expansion

Senator announces grants that will support construction of a new terminal and apron

U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced nearly $8 million in federal funding to finance improvements at the Missoula International Airport, $6,741,709 of which will go towards the construction of a new terminal and $1,251,219 will fund the building of a new apron.

“In Big Sky country, air travel is critical to supporting our booming tourism industry and keeping folks connected,” Tester said. “This grant is not only an investment in our transportation infrastructure, but also in our economy—making air travel in and out of Missoula safer, quicker, and more efficient.”

The funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which provides grants to airports across the nation in order to expand and improve America’s air travel infrastructure, especially in rural areas that have smaller, low-traffic airports. The Trump Administration’s proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget eliminates funding for AIP entirely, which would be a blow to Montana’s tourism industry and rural infrastructure.

Tester has played a consistent role in getting Montana airports the funding they need to improve and expand their facilities. Last year, he secured more than $9 million for the Missoula International Airport and more than $8 million to upgrade airports across Montana.