Billings Logan International Airport
Advertorial paid by Billings Logan International Airport
Billings, MT
The April 19 ribbon cutting and unveiling of Concourse B at the Billings Logan International Airport was a significant step in the airport’s Master Plan, which began nearly twenty years ago. The day marked the finality of a $60 million terminal renovation and expansion project, financed largely by Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and COVID-19 relief funding, and increases the capacity from six passenger gates to nine and from four jet bridges to eight.
“It almost doubles what we were doing,” Jeff Roach, Director of Aviation and Transit, said.
Jeff was hired during the expansion, which began in 2019, and is responsible for not only airport operations but also the Billings’ MET Transit System. Jeff, an accredited airport executive, had a full career in aviation in Fairbanks, Alaska, before he elected to move Nashville to update the Master Plan for the expansion of their airport.
“We’re wrapping up Phase Four of our Terminal Expansion Project,” Jeff explained. “But we’re continually planning and executing improvements all the time.”
This year, he expects the number of travelers coming through the airport to reach 900,000 with an even split between business and tourism.
“We spike slightly in the summer, but not like some airports do with tourism alone,” he explained. “Traffic increases, but we remain steady throughout the year. Billings is a hub for business, medical, agricultural, shopping and tourism, which means we stay busy throughout the entire year.”
With plans for improvements to the baggage claim area and ticket counters in the next couple years, Jeff said the airport offers top-tier amenities.
The initial phase of the project completed in 2022 with Concourse A, included new gates, comfortable chairs, and additional bathrooms making the airport more attractive and efficient. A quaint coffee-shop and a full-service bar, along with a gift shop and eatery offer travelers opportunities to lounge comfortably while waiting for their flights.
As the current Master Plan nears completion, another is in the works with staged updates for the next 5 years, 5-10 years, and 10 plus years.
“We are always striving to continue to meet the needs of the community and the travelers,” Jeff said.
He meets regularly with members of the Billings Chamber, Big Sky Economic Development, Visit Billings, and Visit Southeast Montana to stay abreast of what the community and region hope the airport provides.
As they look to the near future of the airport, Jeff has his sights on parking needs and demands.
“We’re at capacity at peak times right now,” he said, adding that they are contemplating developing a parking garage east of the terminal.
Owned by the City of Billings, the airport is completely self-sufficient and does not utilize any local taxpayer funding. Revenues are generated through landing fees, building rentals, parking, advertising, food and retail services, and ground rentals.
“Even as we wrap up one project, we will continue to expand opportunities to and from Billings and the greater region,” Jeff concluded.
