travel

During the pandemic, a number of carriers cut service and Missoula lost a number of routes. Now, as travel out of Missoula grows to record numbers, the flights are coming back and carriers are doing so on larger airplanes.

Avelo Airlines this spring will begin offering seasonal nonstop service from Kalispell to Burbank, California, it announced on Tuesday.

Along with two additional aircraft gates, a larger baggage claim and car-rental booths, the $37 million Phase 2 terminal project will give passengers more eating and drinking options.

As the pandemic shook up the airline industry, it also did odd things to long-standing statistics, including the rankings of Montana's “busiest” airports.

Circa Resort & Casino, the tallest building north of the Strip at 35 stories and 458 feet, broke ground in February 2019.

With demolition of the old passenger terminal nearly complete and Phase 2 construction set to begin, Missoula Montana Airport plans to jump ahead and seek bids for Phase 3.

Overall, the airlines have roughly 9% more seats in the local market than they did in September 2019 – a record year for the airport and one that predates the opening of the new passenger terminal.