Tester Secures Year-Round Service to Chicago at Missoula Airport

Funding will come from Senator’s FAA law

Continuing his efforts to expand air service at Montana’s airports, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today announced he has secured $875,000 to bring year-round service to Chicago from Missoula’s airport. 

This Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) grant was awarded through this year’s Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) law, which was funded through the Senate’s 2023 government funding bill. Tester was the only member of Montana’s congressional delegation to support the legislation.

“With more people flying in and out of Missoula every day, a year-round Chicago option will help keep pace with demand and help keep flight costs under control for passengers,” said Tester. “I’m proud to have secured this funding that will make air travel in and out of Missoula quicker and more efficient, and I’ll continue working to ensure Montana’s airports have the resources they need to thrive.”

Tester has led the charge to upgrade Montana’s airport infrastructure to attract more regular and cheaper flights to the state. This summer, Tester announced he had secured $3,429,372 for Missoula Airport for construction of the new 145,000 square foot terminal to reduce delays and accommodate more passengers. In February, he also secured $6 million to support the Missoula Airport’s expansion project.

He previously secured approximately $144 million for Montana’s airports through his Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 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.