Bozeman Airport Tower One of Two Airports to Shift to FAA Control in Pilot Program

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport will transition its control tower to FAA ownership over the next 29 to 44 months.

Selected as one of two airports in a new FAA pilot program authorized by the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act, Bozeman’s shift marks a structural change in how the busiest Montana airport manages its air traffic control. This program aims to evaluate the benefits and challenges of converting high-activity contract towers to FAA staffing and management.

Currently operating as a federal contract tower staffed by private employees under FAA safety standards, Bozeman’s tower has served the airport for 27 years. The airport welcomed a record 2.8 million passengers in 2025, reflecting significant growth that now exceeds many federally operated towers in Montana. The pilot will include a congressionally mandated Safety Analysis Report within six months after the operational transition, informing future expansion decisions. Bozeman airport president and CEO Brian Sprenger highlighted the potential for improved capabilities and staffing aligned with current traffic levels.

Looking ahead, the pilot program’s completion and subsequent safety analysis will shape the FAA’s approach to managing complex airspace nationally.

If successful, this model may offer a framework for other rapidly growing airports in the state to adapt their air traffic control infrastructure to evolving demands.

Bozeman airport selected in first round of pilot program to transition to FAA-owned tower
By Micah Drew, Daily Montanan