Look Inside the New Missoula Montana Airport Terminal

The latest addition to the Missoula Montana Airport is just about ready to open, completing Phase 2 of the multi-million dollar upgrade that has completely transformed the facility.

The new terminal will complete those changes, adding important capacity and services for passengers for years.

It's a stark contrast to five years ago this month, when we wondered if we would ever get on a plane again.

RELATED: Airport Runway Work Will Close Missoula Airport in September

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When will the new Missoula airport terminal be finished

Airport Director Brian Ellestad says everything is on track to finish the new terminal expansion and have it ready for initial service May 15t5

"Our goal was pre-summer of '25, Ellestad points out. "But even with that said, we'll still have lots of construction going on afterward. We still have Phase Three, and then we have a lot of infill work."

That includes finishing up new food service and passenger areas, restrooms, and opening up the connection between the two new buildings.

"Phase 2 really gets us where we need to be," Ellestad explains. "A permanent two-carriage baggage claim, rent a car back in the building. At least two more jet bridges on the back side."  It really gets us full circle where we need to be today."

The new section will include entirely new features, too, such as a children's play area and a private lounge for celebrity travelers coming to Western Montana.

 "It really gets us full circle where we need to be today."
- Missoula Montana Airport Director Brian Ellestad

It was exactly 5 years ago that the airport began construction of the expansion. What seemed a risky move with a parking lot and terminal entirely emptied by COVID.

"Well, that was a pretty scary March of 2020 when we put our first piece of steel on the ground, seeing an empty parking lot," Ellestad admits. "But we trudged through, and we were sure glad we did."

That not only allowed the airport to avoid some of the spikes in construction materials costs but secured funding in advance of some of the current uncertainties.

A big year ahead

Missoula saw traffic jump by nearly 12% in 2024, with just over 1,000,000 passengers. And airport administrators say major carriers like Delta, United, Alaska, America, and Frontier will be adding more seasonal flights in the coming weeks.

READ MORE: Why Missoula Airport traffic went up in 2024