(UPDATE) Several people commented on the KRTV Facebook page about this article.
Andew Joshu wrote: "Looks like Las Vegas flights are going away after August." Great Falls International Airport posted the following response:
Allegiant is suspending Vegas service from a number of airports, including GTF, as they are doing in many longer haul markets. Vegas is going through a tough spell as a destination. Our suspension is in the fall schedule. I haven't seen the full list of the suspension but I know they are also suspending some of their other routes like California. Vegas traffic is really slowing down and what I think is that they plan to schedule some breaks in the service to help consolidate demand into peak seasons. They have done this for Phoenix too during the slow summer season. We will see them at the beginning of April and hope to learn more about the winter schedule and beyond.
Ashley Kaluza wrote: "Bozeman and even Helena are always way cheaper to fly in and out. By hundreds of dollars. Be nice if GTF followed suit." Great Falls International Airport posted the following response:
The airlines set the airfares so GTF can't change the prices. Airports actually receive $0 of the ticket price at all. Here is the actual average fares for Montana airports based on the last year of data published. You can look up the data yourself by clicking here. Bozeman is cheaper on average but Helena isn't cheaper. As you can see below, the larger the airport the cheaper the average ticket price. That is true across the US, as you can see SEA and DEN are much cheaper than Bozeman, while Spokane would be between the latter and the former. GTF has generated about 3 passengers per person living in Great Falls for several decades, but the number of people living here has been the same during that period so there are the same number of passengers. As the population grows, we get larger planes with more middle seats and seats in the back and that drives down the price.
The agency shared the following information:
Big changes are underway at the Great Falls International Airport, as construction crews work to expand and modernize the terminal. Airport leaders say these upgrades will make flying out of Great Falls more convenient than ever for local residents.
The improvements include a new gate, upgraded lounges, and an outdoor deck, nearly doubling United Airlines’ seating capacity at the airport.
Quentin Shores reports - watch the video here:
Airport Director John Faulkner says the expansion comes as airlines are switching from smaller 50-seat jets to larger aircraft that can accommodate more than 100 passengers.
He explained, “We used to have maybe two or three flights a day to the same destination. Now we have two large planes a day with more seating than before, flights we might have had in the summertime. And so with the bigger crowds, we need more bathrooms, more restaurant seating, more space."
More than just boosting capacity, airport officials say these enhancements will mean more flight options for Great Falls residents—reducing the need to travel to other cities for connections.
With additional routes and potentially a new airline on the horizon for 2027, leaders believe the airport will make traveling easier and more accessible for the entire region.
“We’re really hopeful. We’re having good discussions about 2027—new routes, maybe a new airline. We’re optimistic that’s the year things finally break loose,” said Faulkner.
The project faced delays due to Boeing production and engine issues over the past three years, but now construction is back on track and expected to wrap up in early July.
