Airport sets new passenger record in 2017
Glacier Park International Airport set a new passenger record in 2017, with a 9.5 percent increase in traveler numbers.
The airport processed 539,588 total passengers last year, compared with 492,522 travelers in 2016.
In addition to setting an overall annual record, the airport also reported a record number of departing passengers in every month of 2017 except March. While peak travel months owe record passenger counts to a robust national economy that is boosting domestic tourism, Airport Director Rob Ratkowski said shoulder-season months also are seeing steady growth.
“Sustained growth during slower months can be attributed to a couple of key factors,” Ratkowski said in a press release. “The local economy is doing well, which results in more locals traveling for business and pleasure. Additionally, airline carriers have increased their investment in our market, which means larger aircraft, additional seats and more direct flights. We greatly appreciate the heightened interest in the Flathead and value the partnerships we’ve built with all of our carriers.”
Ratkowski said current indications point to continued growth in the near future, which will be central as his team develops an updated version of the airport master plan. Working with specialized airport planning consultants, Glacier Park International Airport is currently conducting gap analysis — a widely used organizational management tool that compares actual resources to potential and desired performance to implement change. The master plan helps ensure airport facilities will successfully accommodate anticipated travel for the next 20 years.
Executing a public infrastructure project with a scope as vast as the master plan requires careful planning, outreach and assessment, Ratkowski noted. The master plan is conducted in phases and is part of a yearlong process. After the initial research and analysis phase, which are now in process, Glacier Park International Airport will evaluate facility updates and construction options later this year. The airport will then decide on viable design options and gather public input in late summer or early fall of 2018.