Bert Mooney Regional Airport

Cleared for Growth

How a Regional Gateway Is Gaining Altitude

Momentum is building at Bert Mooney Regional Airport, where rising passenger numbers, major infrastructure projects, and strong community alignment are shaping a new chapter of progress. Serving Butte and the surrounding region, the airport is evolving beyond recovery and positioning itself as a critical connector for economic development, tourism, and business activity.

This momentum also reflects broader regional trends, as communities like Butte continue to position themselves as attractive destinations for business investment and tourism. With improved accessibility and infrastructure, the airport is playing an increasingly important role in shaping how the region connects to national and global markets.

What is unfolding is not a sudden shift, but the result of steady planning and investment. From airfield upgrades to expanding service opportunities, Bert Mooney Airport is advancing on multiple fronts with a clear focus on long-term growth.

“Right now, our operations have not changed. We’re still serviced by United Airlines and Delta Airlines. Two flights a day, one to Denver and one to Salt Lake City,” says Rick Ryan, Deputy Director at Bert Mooney Airport. While the structure of service remains consistent, the scale of activity around it is increasing significantly.

Passenger Growth Signals

One of the most compelling indicators of the airport’s progress is its surge in passenger traffic. After taking longer than some airports to rebound from the pandemic, the airport has now not only recovered but is leading the state in growth.

“This is good news because we just got our year-end numbers from the Montana Aeronautics Division, and the Butte Airport is the fastest growing airport in the state of Montana for 2025,” Ryan reports. “Our enplanements were up year over year by almost 46 percent.”

That growth is closely tied to improved connectivity, particularly the addition of another flight to Denver. “They added another flight last year, a United flight to Denver, and that’s really driven our passenger boardings,” Ryan explains. “It gave us a second carrier and a second destination hub with Denver, which is the number one nonstop hub in the country right now.”

The result is a stronger network that better serves both local travelers and visitors to the region.

From Check-In to Take-Off

Beyond growth in numbers, Bert Mooney Airport is delivering a highly efficient passenger experience. With modern terminals and upgraded TSA systems, travelers benefit from a streamlined journey from arrival to boarding.

“The TSA made significant improvements. They upgraded all their equipment and scanners and redesigned the security check lanes,” Ryan notes. “We have a very efficient security checkpoint that brings passengers into the sterile area, the waiting area, and the gate area.”

That efficiency is reflected in remarkably short wait times. “Our security times are less than 10 minutes from the time you go from the ticket counter to the boarding area,” Ryan adds. For a regional airport, this level of convenience is a significant advantage, offering a smooth alternative to larger, more congested travel hubs.

Strengthening the Foundation for Growth

While passengers experience the benefits directly, much of the airport’s work is happening behind the scenes through extensive infrastructure investment. Ryan is currently overseeing a series of projects designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and long-term capacity.

Recent work includes the completion of a new passenger boarding bridge in January 2025, adding to a terminal that opened in 2018. “We added a brand-new passenger boarding bridge with a gate and all the amenities that are associated with a new passenger boarding bridge,” Ryan shares.

In addition, the airport is finalizing improvements from the previous year, including new snow removal equipment and upgraded security systems. “One is an acquisition of a big runway snowfall snow removal equipment, and I should be receiving that truck here hopefully within the next month,” Ryan explains, also noting “a perimeter security fence gate upgrade along with some security software that goes along with that system.”

Looking ahead, three major projects are set to move forward, each contributing to the airport’s operational resilience. “We’ve got a very large pavement maintenance fog seal, crack seal project that is going to go that’s basically going to rehab the entire runway and taxiway system here at the airport,” Ryan outlines.

He adds that the airport is also planning “a ramp asphalt reconstruction project” and “a complete electrical rehab of our main runway 15 33 to upgrade to high intensity LED lighting.” These investments ensure that the airport remains both safe and capable of supporting future growth.

An Economic Engine for the Region

Bert Mooney Airport plays a serious role in supporting Butte’s broader economy. In addition to commercial passenger traffic, the airport is seeing increased activity from private aviation and business-related travel.

“Well, we’re playing a pretty big role. Our private GA jet traffic has been increasing,” Ryan remarks. This growth is closely tied to regional developments, including tourism and industry expansion. “We’ve got several private executive-like ranch retreats in our area. They’ve been growing, so when they grow, our airport grows with private jet traffic,” Ryan explains.

Industrial activity is also contributing to increased demand. “Our open-pit mine is growing. Their employment has grown, their expansion of the mine has grown, so that’s great for us,” Ryan notes.

As development continues, potential large-scale projects, such as a proposed data center, are already generating interest and additional traffic. “That’s driven some jet traffic and activity, some private jets coming up with businesses that are associated with that business,” Ryan adds.

As these developments continue to unfold, the airport’s role extends beyond transportation, acting as a facilitator for investment and regional competitiveness. Increased accessibility not only supports existing industries but also strengthens Butte’s ability to attract new businesses, reinforcing a cycle of growth that benefits the broader community.

Expanding Air Service and Community Partnerships

With strong growth underway, expanding air service remains a top priority. The airport is working closely with local partners to attract additional carriers and destinations. “We are actively trying to secure another minimum revenue guarantee flight with an additional carrier,” Ryan emphasizes.

Community support is playing a key role in these efforts, with organizations working together to promote the airport and demonstrate demand. “The possibility of a flight to Seattle, which is our third biggest catchment area that our Butte people go to and from,” Ryan explains. “We’re working diligently with them to try to get something happening there.”

This collaborative approach reflects a shared understanding of the airport’s importance to regional growth and connectivity.

Where Aviation Meets Opportunities

Development is not limited to air service. Bert Mooney Airport is also seeing increased interest in on-site business opportunities, particularly in hangar construction and aviation services. “Interest in hangar space and ground leasing for this type of development has really picked up over the past six months,” Ryan notes.

A new addition to the airport community is the Public Safety Training and Response Group, which brings specialized training operations and ambitious growth plans. “They’re looking to expand into wildland firefighting with helicopters and have some ambitious plans that we’re excited to support,” Ryan explains.

The airport has also engaged with other companies exploring larger-scale hangar development, further expanding its potential as a hub for aviation-related business.

Leadership Driven by Purpose

For Ryan, overseeing these developments is both professionally rewarding and personally meaningful. His role places him at the center of projects that directly impact the community.

“My role is to oversee these projects, and I really enjoy being part of them,” Ryan reflects. “They’re multi-million-dollar initiatives that I get to see through from start to finish.”

He adds that the broader impact of this work is a key motivator. “It also helps our community, and many people don’t realize how much time, effort, and investment go into keeping this airport running,” Ryan observes.

Positioned for Continued Expansion

With a clear focus on the future, the airport’s priorities are both focused and strategic. Increasing air service options remains the top objective, followed closely by continued development and operational excellence.

“I think our main priority here is to hopefully increase our air traffic, different destinations, different carriers, grow the airport, give the traveling public more options,” Ryan states.

He adds that maintaining efficiency and safety is equally important as growth continues. “Making sure we’re keeping this airport up and running as most efficiently as we can, as safely as we can,” Ryan says.

Building on Momentum

Bert Mooney Airport is moving forward with confidence. With strong passenger growth, ongoing infrastructure investment, and expanding opportunities across both commercial and private aviation, the airport is reinforcing its role as a vital regional asset.

Each new project and partnership reflects a forward-looking approach—one that not only responds to demand but helps shape the region’s economic trajectory.

The progress seen today is the result of sustained planning, strategic investment, and a clear vision for the future. “We’re doing a lot better than we were a couple of years ago,” Ryan concludes. “The tides have turned.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: Bert Mooney Regional Airport

What: A regional airport providing commercial and general aviation services

Where: Butte, Montana

Website: www.butteairport.com