October 27 2017

Paved Runway 11-29 Opening

Close up of new paved runway 11-29
Attendees gather at the end of the runway for the opening ceremony on Oct. 26, 2017.

In November 2017, our airport will celebrate its 75th anniversary with 45 years of this managed by the Gallatin Airport Authority Board.  The very first Gallatin Airport Authority Board consisted of individuals, John Buttleman, Gardner Waite, Howard Nelson, William Merrick and Zales Ecton with Airport Manager, Frank Wolcott.  These five forward thinking individuals were responsible for the very first Airport Master Plan utilizing the talents of TAP Incorporated and Morrison Maierle for what was then called Gallatin Field.  This Master Plan was completed in 1972 and included the first vision of the parallel paved runway we dedicate today, 45 years later.  In 2006, Gallatin Airport Authority Board members, John McKenna, Steve Williamson, Richard Roehm, Greg Metzer and Eric Hastings along with Airport Director Ted Mathis commissioned a follow-up master plan that then further clarified this runway and established it ultimate location and intended use, separating smaller and slower moving aircraft from larger and faster moving aircraft during peak periods. Today, Airport Board Members, Carl Lehrkind, IV, Kendall Switzer, Karen Stelmak, Kevin Kelleher and Ted Mathis and Airport Director Brian Sprenger are fortunate to see the completion of this project in the works for the past 45 years.  We are fortunate to have had and continue to have Airport Boards and Management that have the foresight to see into the future and plan accordingly. 

Today we must also thank all those who have helped in making this first new runway in Montana in over 30 years a reality.  We wish to thank our engineers from Morrison Maierle, Scott Bell, Mark Maierle and their staff, our Contractor, Riverside Contracting, as well as their sub-contractors, South Hills Electric and Arrow Striping.  We must also thank the FAA,
First take-off on runway 11-29 by Tim Linn
Chuck Garrison and Joe Nye for working with us on all the necessary planning and funding for the runway and the assistance of Senator Daines and Senator Tester in ensuring airport expansions are funded through the Airport Improvement Program.  We also want to thank Ted Mathis for performing the first test flight for the new runway inspecting the vertical guidance system and today’s first take-off by Tim Linn in his Cessna 195 and today’s first landing by Ben Walton of Summit Aviation in one of their DA42 Diamond Twin Star.  Finally, we want to thank our community for their continued support and use of Montana’s busiest Airport.

First landing on runway 11-29 by Ben Walton of Summit Aviation

Runway facts:
• First new runway in Montana in over 30 years
• Total Cost – Approximately $7 million (Runway, parallel taxiway system, connecting taxiways, lighting, PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator)
• Length/width – 5,050’ x 75’
• Designed to serve B-II small aircraft and separate these aircraft from the faster moving jet aircraft using the main runway


Aerial image showing new paved runway 11-29.

August 8, 2025
4:26PM, 8/8/2025

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
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Multi-Use Parking Garage Contract Awarded

The Gallatin Airport Authority has awarded a $28.6 million dollar contract to Sletten Construction for construction of the four level, 1,100 stall fully covered Multi-Use Parking Garage of which 90% will be occupied by the seven car rental brands operating in the terminal with the remaining 10% for premium pay parking. Construction is expected to begin in late December with a projected completion date of June 1, 2019.
Multi-Use Parking Garage rendering

BZN Celebrates 75 Years

In 1940, aviation had started to become a staple in communities.  In Montana, airline service had been in the state for over a decade with cities like Miles City, Butte, Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Helena, Lewistown and West Yellowstone all having airline service in 1940.  Meanwhile the residents of the Gallatin Valley watched as these airliners flew over the Valley between Butte and Helena.  That needed to change.

On October 23, 1940, Bozeman City Manager...
Scrapbooks tell the story of BZN.

Agenda for November 9, 2017 Board Meeting

Click here to view the agenda for the Board Meeting to be held Thursday, November 9, 2017 at 2:00pm.

Paved Runway 11-29 Opening


In November 2017, our airport will celebrate its 75th anniversary with 45 years of this managed by the Gallatin Airport Authority Board.  The very first Gallatin Airport Authority Board consisted of individuals, John Buttleman, Gardner Waite, Howard Nelson, William Merrick and Zales Ecton with Airport Manager, Frank Wolcott.  These five forward thinking individuals were responsible for the very first Airport Master Plan utilizing the talents of TAP Incorporated and Morrison Maierle for what...
Close up of new paved runway 11-29

Agenda for October 12, 2017 Board Meeting

Click here to view the agenda for the Board Meeting to be held Thursday, October 12, 2017 at 2:00pm.

BZN to Conduct Full Scale Aircraft Accident Exercise on September 30, 2017

BOZEMAN, MT (September 26, 2017) Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) will conduct a full-scale aircraft disaster exercise on Saturday, September 30, 2017 to test on-scene coordination between the airport, airline and emergency response personnel from throughout the valley. This exercise meets the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirement to conduct a full-scale emergency exercise every three years in addition to annual table-top drills.

Approximately 200 participants will take part in the exercise playing the...

Agenda for September 14, 2017 Board Meeting

Click here to view the agenda for the Board Meeting to be held Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 2:00pm.

Tower Meeting - Sept. 13, 2017

Tower Meeting
September 13, 2017 at 7pm in the Fire Station

New Tower Manager Greg Steffen and SERCO Program and Operations Manager Dave McCann will be available to address all your questions and concerns regarding air traffic control at BZN.
BZN tower

American Airlines Expanding Summer 2018 Service to Include Saturday Non-Stop Service to Los Angeles

BOZEMAN, MT (September 1, 2017).  Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) today announced that American Airlines will offer new, non-stop Saturday service to Los Angeles (LAX) beginning June 9, 2018 and continuing through August 18, 2018.  In addition, American will upgrade year-round Dallas/Ft. Worth to twice daily 737-800 service from June 7, 2018 through August 19, 2018.  Overall, American will offer a 50% increase in seats out of BZN during the June 2018 –...
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Introducing Greg Steffen, Air Traffic Manager @ BZN

We would like to welcome Greg Steffen, the new tower manager at BZN.

Greg is originally from Kentucky.  He spent 29 years with the FAA and now six with SERCO in air traffic control. Throughout that time he has worked at 10 different locations - towers as busy as Cincinnati and as slow as Pago Pago, AS. He moved to Bozeman from Kalispell and this is the fifth tower he has managed. 

Welcome to BZN, Greg!
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