A new passenger terminal at the Missoula airport is expected to open in May.
The $67 million project comes as passenger traffic continues to rebound since the start of the pandemic.
Missoula International Airport’s three-story terminal expansion will increase airport capacity and introduce a host of new amenities, including more ticketing agents and concourse space, improved Wi-Fi and one of Montana’s few escalators.
Airport officials say the new facility is needed to meet skyrocketing demand.
Airport director Brian Ellestad says passenger traffic is rebounding since air travel ground to a halt at the height of the pandemic. He expects passenger traffic at Missoula International to soon rival 2019’s record of 455,000.
“So ‘21 was 80% of 2020, which was a big increase," he said at a news conference on Tuesday. "We’re going to be real close to 2019 numbers in 2022, so, a good story to tell."
The new terminal is funded with a mix of federal, state and local funding.
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