WEST YELLOWSTONE, MT — After decades of steady growth and little change, Yellowstone Airport has finally received a much-needed upgrade. The airport’s original terminal, built in 1965, was recently replaced by a modern facility designed to meet the demands of today’s travelers and future needs.
The $46 million project, completed in May 2025, adds a second gate, introduces TSA-compliant security screening, and features an indoor baggage claim area—an improvement welcomed by both staff and passengers alike.
Doug Barton, a longtime Yellowstone Airport employee who has worked in rental car service for 35 years, witnessed the airport’s transformation firsthand. “Back in the early ’90s, we were lucky to do 200 people a month. Now, we’re doing 400 to 500 a month,” Barton said, underscoring the steady increase in passenger traffic.
Jeff Kadlec, the airport’s manager for the past 13 years, emphasized that the new terminal was built to accommodate larger aircraft and enhance the traveler experience. “We started off with 30-passenger EMB 120 Brasilias,” Kadlec said. “Now we’re flying in the Canadair regional jets, which seat 50 passengers.”
The airport, owned and operated by the Montana Department of Transportation, serves approximately 20,000 travelers annually, many drawn to the vibrant tourism industry in West Yellowstone, which attracts nearly 4 million visitors each year.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony held recently brought together community members and stakeholders involved in the project. During the event, Kadlec expressed his gratitude for the community’s support and reflected on the significance of the milestone. “It’s a little surreal in some ways that we finally got here today,” he said.
To honor the airport’s history, several elements from the original terminal were preserved and incorporated into the new design. A red stone wall behind the ticket counter, the original airport beacon by the gates, and the iconic Yellowstone Airport sign now serve as reminders of the airport’s legacy.
For Barton, these historical touches hold special meaning. His cousin and uncle poured the concrete for the original terminal in the 1960s, and he now works alongside his wife, Doris, at the rental car counter. “I’m kind of a part of that old terminal, too,” Barton said. “It’s neat to have the old in with the new.”
With the new terminal operational, Yellowstone Airport is poised to better serve its growing number of visitors and continue its role as a key gateway to one of America’s most beloved national parks.
