KBZK: Daines asks TSA to approve GPIA X-ray machine request

U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) is urging the Transportation Security Administration to fulfill Glacier Park International Airport’s request for a third X-ray machine.

Nearly 500,000 passengers flew in and out of GPIA in 2016 as the airport say a record number of travelers fifth consecutive year. Also, all-time monthly passenger records were set in 10 of the 12 months for the airport last year.

Sen. Daines noted the spike in tourism across the region and notable ridership through GPIA in a letter to the TSA.

“G-P-I provides reliable air service for nearly 250-thousand passengers per year, enabling economic growth and allowing thousands of tourists to visit Glacier National Park and the Flathead Valley every year,” Daines said. As you make decisions about resource allocations in the coming months, I urge you to accommodate GPI’s request.”

With tourism and business in the Northwest Montana reaching record-breaking heights, United Airlines is adding a daily nonstop flight to San Francisco this summer. The airline has also added extra capacity on flights to Denver and Chicago.