U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, along with Representative Ryan Zinke, sent a letter on Mar. 10 to the Federal Aviation Administration urging the inclusion of Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in a new pilot program for transitioning contract towers to FAA-operated towers.
The request comes as the FAA prepares to implement a pilot program mandated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which directs the agency to prioritize contract towers that meet certain operational and passenger criteria. The Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act has allocated $6 million for this initiative.
“As you know, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 directs the FAA to establish the pilot program no later than 18 months after enactment and to prioritize contract towers that meet specific tower operations and passenger enplanement criteria. The Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which was recently signed into law, provides $6 million for the pilot program as well. The FAA is now well positioned to move forward expeditiously in carrying out the program and we believe BZN should be one of the first airports selected for consideration,” Daines, Sheehy, and Zinke wrote in their letter.
Bozeman Yellowstone International is Montana’s busiest commercial airport and currently operates as a Federal Contract Tower staffed by private employees rather than those from the FAA. In recent years, staffing shortages at its tower have raised concerns about maintaining safe and efficient operations. The new pilot program aims to address such challenges by transitioning select contract towers like Bozeman’s to direct federal operation.
Daines is affiliated with the U.S. Senate representing Montana according to his official website. He grew up in Bozeman as a fifth-generation Montanan who attended public schools there according to his official website. Daines earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Montana State University according to his official website.
Daines engages in public service through constituent assistance and Senate committee work according to his official website, providing services such as help with federal agencies and veterans resources according to his official website. He has also received awards from the Congressional Management Foundation for transparency and staff support according to his official website.
The next steps will depend on how quickly the FAA moves forward with selecting airports for participation in this federally funded transition program.
