WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, as well as Representative Ryan Zinke (MT-01), today sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to express support for the inclusion of Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in the Federal Contract Tower to FAA tower transition program.
“As you know, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 directs the FAA to establish the pilot program no later than 18 months after enactment and to prioritize contract towers that meet specific tower operations and passenger enplanement criteria. The Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which was recently signed into law, provides $6 million for the pilot program as well. The FAA is now well positioned to move forward expeditiously in carrying out the program and we believe BZN should be one of the first airports selected for consideration,” they wrote in the letter.
Read the full letter HERE.
Background:
Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) is the busiest commercial airport in Montana. BZN operates as a Federal Contract Tower, staffed by employees of a private company rather than by FAA employees. In recent years, BZN has faced significant staffing challenges at their tower which has threatened BZN’s ability to ensure safe and efficient operations. The 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act included a pilot program for certain FCT towers to be transitioned to FAA operated Air Traffic Control towers. The FY2026 T-HUD Appropriations bill included $6 million for the program. BZN is a strong candidate for inclusion in the pilot program based on several metrics, including those laid out in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization bill.
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Contact: Matt Lloyd, Gabby Wiggins