Tester: Bozeman ready for New York connection

(U.S. SENATE) – Senator Jon Tester today released the following statement after Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport announced that United Airlines will begin offering direct flights between Bozeman and the New York City area: 

“Connecting one of the world’s biggest cities to the Big Sky State and the gateway to Yellowstone National Park will strengthen Montana’s economy and create new job opportunities.  I’ll keep making it my mission to make sure folks around the country know that Montana is ‘open for business.’”

United will fly between Bozeman and Newark Liberty International Airport beginning this summer.

The new connection adds to Montana’s recent success attracting direct flights to major metropolitan regions.  In January, Allegiant Air announced that it will offer direct flights from Kalispell, Bozeman, Missoula, and Billings to Oakland, Calif., connecting Montanans with new opportunities across the San Francisco Bay Area and the West Coast.

Tester consistently pushes increased air service as a way to grow Montana’s economy.  In December, he called for more flights to eastern Montana to keep pace with demand in the Bakken oil field.  In November, Tester successfully fought against burdensome new taxes and regulations on general aviation.

Tester has also pushed the Federal Aviation Administration to support Bozeman International’s efforts to better manage its airspace, allowing the airport to handle an increasing number of flights.

-30-