Airport applies for grant funding direct winter flight to Dallas

Glacier Park International Airport is seeking a federal grant to help underwrite a wintertime direct flight from the Flathead Valley to Dallas.

The airport applied for $1 million through the federal Department of Transportation’s Small Community Air Service Development Program, meant to help small and mid-market airports expand and maintain regular flight service. If awarded and an air carrier enticed, flights could begin as soon as the winter of 2024, said airport Director Rob Ratkowski.

The move is buoyed by $200,000 in matching funds raised by Glacier AERO, the nonprofit dedicated to expanding airline service to and from Flathead County.

Funds would be used to ensure a minimum revenue guarantee for any airline who signs on, as well as support marketing of the route.

The minimum revenue guarantee could help attract an airline to the area by reducing their financial risk, according to Ratkowski.

“It costs a lot to operate these airplanes, like $6,000 an hour,” Ratkowski said. “Even a twice weekly route incurs significant risk for an airliner; it can be difficult for smaller communities to entice an airline to take those risks.”

“If the route goes gang-busters and they hit their revenue target, then we don’t spend,” he added.

The route would serve the interests of both tourists and locals alike, said AERO board Chair Joe Unterreiner. It’s long been on AERO’s wishlist, and a consultant recently concluded it could be economically viable, which prompted the pursuit of the grant funding.

American Airlines operates a summer seasonal Dallas route from Glacier Park International Airport, with Unterreiner saying it has so far proved to be “a really good performing market for us.”

The grant application process could take until the third or fourth quarter of this year to yield results, said Ratkowski, and there’s no guarantee that the airport will be selected.

“We think the program is going to be really competitive this year because small communities are really having a hard time with fuel costs and other expenses increasing,” he said. “We think there’s going to be a lot of airports applying to retain service this year.”

Also on the list of cities to which AERO would like to see future flight service are Atlanta and San Diego. Both destinations are ripe for summer flights from the Flathead Valley, according to the nonprofit.

The airport recently secured a new summer seasonal route direct to Burbank, California. Operated by budget carrier Avelo Airlines, flights were scheduled to begin May 22 and operate twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays.

Reporter Adrian Knowler can be reached at 758-4407 or aknowler@dailyinterlake.com.