2026 Economic Impact Study Shows Billions In Revenue, Thousands Of Jobs Generated For BZN-Yellowstone International Airport

Bozeman, Mont. — A new economic impact study from the state of Montana found that the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport plays a major role in Bozeman’s economy and has brought in more than $2 billion in revenue for Montana. 

The state released its 2026 economic impact study last week.  

Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport C-E-O Brian Sprenger says it is the first study on the role of airports in Montana in 10 years, with the last one taking place in 2016. 

He said the airport’s impact reaches far beyond flights and ticket counters.  

“Tourism is a big part of it, you know, we bring a lot of people here. It’s also the impact with Montana State University and all the students, research, team travel, and all of that that happens. And don’t forget, all of us that are needing access to the rest of the nation and the world, you know. There is a broad-based impact because of that,” said Brian Sprenger.  

The study found that the airport does more than just bring money in. It also supports over 13,000 jobs in Montana. 

Sprenger says those numbers work out to be about 1 in every 5 jobs in the Gallatin Valley. 

“Thirteen thousand jobs, which is about one in five jobs in the valley, are somehow related to the airport, and so we’re very excited to have these numbers and be able to understand what our impact is,” said Brian Sprenger.  

Sprenger also says the airport has nearly tripled the amount of money it has generated compared with the last study done a decade ago. 

He said the earlier study showed a $750 million impact.  

“And at that point, it was about 750-thousand-, or 750-million-dollar impact at that point so, really almost tripling over the last ten years,” said Brian Sprenger, “All of the people traveling in and out of the airport, you know, really help create the dynamics of the impacts that are here.”  

As far as the next steps go, Sprenger says the airport is currently working on an expansion of its facility, with a new east terminal under construction.