Tester Announces Funding for New Flights From Missoula and Billings to Texas

(U.S. Senate) – After announcing $1 million in funding for Billings Logan International Airport earlier this week, Senator Jon Tester announced today that airports in both Billings and Missoula will receive six-figure grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to help establish new direct flights to Texas.

Tester wrote letters of support to the DOT earlier this year on behalf of both projects in Billings and Missoula.

“Increased air service would benefit Missoula and the surrounding communities by improving access and affordability to air travel,” Tester wrote. “The Missoula International Airport plays an important role in northwest Montana’s economy and provides vital air service for a number of nearby communities. This grant would strengthen the services they provide.”

Missoula International Airport will receive $600,000 through the DOT’s Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASD) to help develop and market new roundtrip service to Texas.

“We’re very grateful to the Department of Transportation and certainly to Senator Tester for all of his support in this effort,” Cris Jensen, Director of Missoula International Airport. “It’s because of their support and these grants that we hope to have new flights to Texas through a new airline, which will offer our flyers more choice, cost efficiency, and convenience.”

Billings Logan International Airport will receive $750,000 through the SCASD Program to help develop and market their new service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.

“This airline route will not only allow Billings travelers to fly to Dallas, it will allow Texans to come and experience the magic of Billings,” Tester wrote in his letter of support for the project. “This grant will encourage economic development, boost tourism, and attract tourists to enjoy Montana’s awesome outdoors.”