Airports Archives - Senator Steve Daines

Daines Fights for Continued Air Service in Montana

June 9, 2023

Calls on Biden administration to review SkyWest’s Airlines’ request to operate certain flights in rural Montana, including Butte U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today sent a letter to the Department of Transportation (DOT) to urge the agency to expeditiously review SkyWest Charter’s (SWC) application for commuter authority. Rural Montana relies on small community air service to connect them with the rest of the state and nation. SWC’s application has sat unresolved at the agency for over a year. It is past time for the DOT to take action. “I write today to express my concern with the pressing situation facing small community air service in Montana.

Daines Secures More Than $15 Million in Funding for Montana Airports

February 26, 2021

U.S. SENATE– U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that more than $15 million will be directed towards strengthening Montana’s air travel infrastructure. “COVID-19 has been hard on Montana’s tourism and aviation sectors. As we’re working our way out of this pandemic and Montana airports begin to recover, it’s critical that we support local infrastructure,” Daines said. “These grants will deliver much needed economic relief to our airports and in turn help support hospitality jobs by bringing more visitors to our great state.” The funding is part of the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) under the Department of Transportation. At the time of passage, Daines

Daines Moves Forward Investments in Montana Infrastructure

May 19, 2016

U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today secured important investments in Montana air, rail and surface transportation. The U.S. Senate today overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan FY2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act to fund the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and related agencies in fiscal year 2017. “Infrastructure is an important part of our everyday lives, from our roads to the skies to our railways,” Daines stated. “I’m proud to secure investments to increase safety and create more good-paying jobs.” Daines’ moved forward the following provisions to

Daines Strengthens Montana’s Transportation Network

April 21, 2016

U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today worked to strengthen Montana’s transportation network. “Our transportation network from our roadways to our skies to our railways will be a safer form of travel for all Montanans,” Daines stated. “This legislation puts Montanans first and addresses concerns from all corners of our state to increase tourism and encourage economic development projects that create more good-paying jobs.” Daines successfully included important provisions to improve Montana air, rail and surface transportation in the FY2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Act to fund the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), U.S. Department of Housing and

Daines’ Bill: Stands Up for Montana Aviation Passes Senate

April 19, 2016

U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines’ bill to improve Montana air travel for passengers, pilots and the aviation industry today passed the United States Senate. “The U.S. Senate took an important step forward in strengthening security for travelers and protecting American consumers’ best interests,” said Daines, Montana’s only member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. “I’ve secured many important bipartisan reforms that maintain Montana’s critical aviation infrastructure and affordable travel to rural Montana airports. I look forward to the House of Representatives adopting these reforms and having the President sign this comprehensive aviation security legislation into law.” Daines secured the following provisions

Daines Announces over $4.6 Million in Critical Funding for Ten Montana Community Airports

April 13, 2016

U.S. SENATE – Senator Steve Daines today announced that ten Montana community airports will receive $4,661,676 for critical construction and maintenance projects. Grants will be awarded to airports in Billings, Broadus, Circle, Forsyth, Hardin, Livingston, Malta, Ronan, Shelby and Wolf Point. “Community airports across Montana provide critical transportation services to Montana’s rural communities,” Daines stated. “These grants will ensure that Montana’s smaller airports are able to meet rising ridership demands, ensure safe and reliable service for their passengers and meet the long-term economic needs of the communities they serve.” Grants awarded today by the Federal Aviation Administration include: Billings Logan International Airport: $400,000 to

Daines Presses Obama Administration on Security at Montana Airports

April 6, 2016

U.S. SENATE — Senator Steve Daines today pressed the Obama administration on the security of Montana airports. During today’s Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee hearing on transportation security, Daines pressed Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator Peter Neffenger on procuring necessary security equipment for the Helena and Great Falls airports. Daines also called on the Neffenger to look into TSA’s proposed removal of passenger screening at the airport in Butte due to their choice in screeners. Click here to watch Daines’ remarks. Click here to download Daines’ remarks. ###

Daines Secures Necessary Reforms to Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization

March 16, 2016

U.S. SENATE —Senator Steve Daines today secured important provisions to improve Montana air travel for passengers, pilots and the aviation industry. During today’s Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation mark-up on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2016, Daines fought to secure important provisions for Montana. “It’s important that Montanans have reliable, safe and affordable access to air travel,” Daines stated. “This is a step in the right direction in securing our skyways by prioritizing necessary infrastructure improvements for our airports. ” Daines secured the following provisions in the FAA reauthorization: Maintains Essential Air Service (EAS) serving seven Montana communities.

Daines Announces Renewal of Cape Air Service for Montana Airports

September 29, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced that Cape Air has been re-approved as the Essential Air Service (EAS) provider for airports in Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Sidney and Wolf Point. “Cape Air provides Montana’s community airports in Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Sidney and Wolf Point with critical transportation services. It has proven to be a reliable and badly needed service for a number of Montana’s rural communities,” Daines stated. “As a commuter air carrier, Cape Air makes it easier to do business and travel in eastern Montana. I’m pleased by the Department of Transportation’s excellent decision to renew Cape Air as the Essential Air Service provider

Daines Announces Over $2 Million in Funding for Billings Logan International Airport

September 11, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Steve Daines today announced over $2 million in funding for Billings Logan International Airport in light of recent flooding and infrastructure challenges facing the airport. The Department of Transportation’s $2,068,668 grant will fund much-needed drainage improvements at the airport, which serves as a major air transportation hub in Montana and is vital to commercial and general aviation. In the last reported year (2013), there were over 380,000 enplanements and 76,000 aircraft operations at Billings Logan International Airport. “Billings Logan Airport provides critical transportation services to thousands of Montanans every year. This grant will go a long

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