Glacier Park International Airport

What Glacier Park International Airport does

Glacier Park International Airport (GPIA), operated by the Flathead Municipal Airport Authority (FMAA), is a publicly owned, FAA-regulated commercial-service airport located in Kalispell, Montana. Originally cleared circa 1942 and designated Flathead County Airport in 1948, it became an international airport with U.S. Customs in 1970 and was renamed Glacier Park International Airport. The airport serves as the primary air gateway to Northwestern Montana and Glacier National Park, handling nearly 1 million passengers annually and connecting the Flathead Valley (population >100,000) to major hubs via six U.S. carriers: Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Sun Country, and United, with year-round and seasonal service to 15+ destinations. GPIA also supports a robust general aviation ecosystem that includes Atlantic Aviation FBO, two flight schools, charter and scenic operators, and a Garmin/Bendix-King/Honeywell-authorized repair station, and functions as a U.S. Customs port of entry.

The airport's product set is a portfolio of regulated infrastructure and ancillary services: a 24/7 passenger terminal with security checkpoint, food/beverage, retail, and banking; parking (main lot and overflow) operated by Republic Parking; ground transportation coordination (on-site rental car agencies, Turo, taxis, shuttles, Uber/Lyft); a Boomerang-powered lost and found; a Vector Airport Systems-managed GA landing fee program for transient aircraft over 9,000 lbs; TSA-aligned AOA and SIDA/Sterile badging; a Visitor Pass program for non-travelers; and an FAA-approved uAvionix FlightLine APRT ADS-B contract tower surveillance system deployed in October 2025. The runway is scheduled for a major pavement rehabilitation in July 2026, and a $100 million terminal expansion is in planning under a Director of Development, supported by a Mead & Hunt-led Airport Master Plan update. Operations are led by a 35-person FMAA staff augmented by 25-30 seasonal snow-removal workers in winter.

GPIA generates revenue through a transaction-fee model: landing fees for transient general aviation aircraft (weight-tiered from $3 to $6 per 1,000 lbs), parking fees (daily/weekly caps of $15-$18), terminal concessions, rental car commissions, advertising, ground transportation agreements, and security badge issuance ($25-$200 per badge). As a government authority, FMAA does not publicly disclose revenue, but the combination of fee streams, capital project pipeline, and federal grant access positions the airport as a capex-intensive, rate-regulated infrastructure operator rather than a venture-backed or PE-eligible commercial entity. Its go-to-market is essentially direct-to-consumer and direct-to-airline: the airport sells access to a regulated airfield and terminal, leases space to concessionaires, and partners with carriers that bring the underlying passenger demand.

Name

Glacier Park International Airport

Legal name

Flathead Municipal Airport Authority

Website

https://iflyglacier.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1948

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Glacier Park International Airport is a publicly owned, FAA-regulated commercial-service airport in Kalispell, Montana, operated by the Flathead Municipal Airport Authority, serving nearly 1 million annual passengers as the gateway to Glacier National Park via six major U.S. airlines and a full general aviation ecosystem.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Airport Operations and Passenger Services

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)

Keywords

• Commercial airport services
• Passenger terminal operations
• General aviation support
• Airport parking services
• Ground transportation coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Kalispell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Airport Fees and Concessions: Revenue generated through landing fees for transient general aviation aircraft, parking fees, terminal concessions (food, beverage, retail), rental car commissions, advertising space, and ground transportation agreements.
2. General Aviation Landing Fees: Transient GA aircraft with MGLW of 9,000+ lbs are charged landing fees: $3.00 per 1,000 lbs (9,000-19,999 lbs), $5.00 per 1,000 lbs (20,000-49,999 lbs), $6.00 per 1,000 lbs (50,000+ lbs). Billed by Vector Airport Systems.
3. Parking Revenue: Main parking lot: $18/day or $108/week. Overflow/cell phone lot: $15/day or $90/week. Managed by Republic Parking.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Glacier Park International Airport operates a commercial passenger terminal and airfield in Kalispell, Montana, providing scheduled airline services to major U.S. hubs, passenger terminal amenities, parking, ground transportation coordination, general aviation support (FBO, fuel, flight training, charter, maintenance), and a U.S. Customs port of entry. The airport also issues TSA-aligned security badges and operates a Visitor Pass program enabling non-travelers to access post-security areas.

Product overview

Glacier Park International Airport is a regional commercial service airport in Kalispell, Montana operated by the Flathead Municipal Airport Authority (FMAA). The airport's core offering is its passenger terminal and airfield, serving approximately 1 million passengers annually with commercial service from six major airlines (Alaska, Allegiant, American, Delta, Sun Country, and United) to hub cities including Seattle, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Denver, and Las Vegas, plus seasonal service to destinations such as New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco, Portland, and Phoenix. The airport provides a portfolio of complementary service products: parking facilities (main lot and overflow/cell phone lot), ground transportation coordination (on-site rental car agencies, taxis, shuttles, ride share, and Turo), a Boomerang-powered lost and found service, a Vector Airport Systems-managed landing fee program for general aviation, TSA-aligned airport badging (AOA and SIDA/Sterile badges), a Visitor Pass program enabling non-travelers to access post-security areas, and a full general aviation ecosystem including FBO services, flight schools, charter operators, and an FAA-certified repair station. The airport also serves as a U.S. Customs port of entry and is preparing for a significant runway rehabilitation project in July 2026.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Airport Terminal Operations and Passenger Services Core passenger terminal facility providing passenger processing, security checkpoint operations, and traveler amenities including food and beverage, retail, banking, and pet relief areas. Open 24/7 with airline ticket counters and a security checkpoint serving scheduled and charter passengers.
• Parking Services Hourly and daily/weekly parking in the Main lot and the Overflow/Cell Phone lot adjacent to the terminal, managed by Republic Parking. First 20 minutes free in the main lot, daily max $18 and weekly max $108 (effective December 18, 2023).
• Ground Transportation Services On-site car rental agencies (Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National/Alamo, Thrifty), off-airport rental via Kalispell Toyota, taxi services, shuttle services, Uber and Lyft ride share, and Turo peer-to-peer car sharing authorized at the airport.
• Lost and Found Services Lost item reporting and recovery through the Boomerang partnership; items held for 60 days before being discarded or donated, with administration office pickup available Monday through Friday.
• Landing Fee Management General aviation landing fee program for transient aircraft at or above 9,000 lb MGLW, with weight-tiered fees of $3.00, $5.00, and $6.00 per 1,000 lbs. Billing and payments managed by Vector Airport Systems via an online self-service portal.
• Airport Badging and Security Access Security identification badge issuance for AOA and SIDA/Sterile areas in accordance with TSA and 49 CFR 1542; badges valid for one year with new and renewal fee tiers for AOA, SIDA/Sterile, and lost badge replacement.
• Visitor Pass Program Program allowing non-travelers to access post-security areas of the terminal to meet passengers, dine, or shop. Applications accepted online up to seven days in advance or same day.
• General Aviation Services Full suite of general aviation support including Atlantic Aviation FBO (fuel, maintenance, charter, storage), Altitude Aviation Academy (flight training), Glacier View Aviation Flight School, Mission Mountain Flying Services (charter and scenic flights), Rocky Mountain Aircraft Services (FAA-certified repair station), and Glacier Aviation (charter). The airport also serves as a U.S. Customs port of entry for international GA arrivals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serves nearly 1 million passengers annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• uAvionixcoreTechnology or Integration · 14 October 2025FAA approved uAvionix's FlightLine APRT situational awareness system for use in contract airport towers, with initial deployment at Glacier Park International Airport. The system improves airport safety and operational efficiency by providing real-time aircraft position data based on ADS-B technology.
• Atlantic Aviation (FBO)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAtlantic Aviation provides full-service FBO at GPIA including private terminal, fuel, maintenance, secure aircraft parking, air charter services, aircraft storage, and in-flight catering. Located on premises.
• Altitude Aviation AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional flight training organization at GPIA dedicated to developing safe, disciplined, and proficient aviators.
• Glacier View Aviation Flight SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlight school offering discovery flights, advanced ratings (instrument, commercial, CFI, multi-engine) with fleet of aircraft and instructor pilots.
• Mission Mountain Flying ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCharter and scenic flight company based at GPIA offering private charters and aerial tours of Glacier National Park.
• Glacier Aviation ServicesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorARGUS Gold rated air carrier providing business and personal air transportation to Rocky Mountain destinations. Recipient of Tripadvisor People's Choice Award for six consecutive years.
• Mead & HuntcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAirport planning consultant contracted for completion of the Airport Master Plan update, working with FMAA Board, stakeholders, and government entities.
• Vector Airport SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationManages billing and payments for the general aviation landing fee program on behalf of Glacier Park International Airport.
• Republic ParkingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManages airport parking operations including main lot and overflow/cell phone lot. Local office in Kalispell with corporate office in Chattanooga, TN.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Helena Regional Airport: Helena Regional Airport (HLN) is a Montana state-capital regional airport with overlapping airline service (Alaska, Delta, United), shared operating climate, and similar role in connecting Montana communities to national hub networks.
• Yellowstone Airport: Yellowstone Airport (WYS) in West Yellowstone is a small Montana airport that similarly functions as a national-park tourism gateway, with comparable seasonal demand patterns, general aviation focus, and dependence on park visitation for passenger volumes.
• Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is the largest Montana commercial airport and the most directly comparable peer—both are Montana regional gateways serving national park tourism (Yellowstone vs. Glacier), operate commercial service from major U.S. airlines, and compete for in-state visitor arrivals and general aviation traffic.
• Missoula Montana Airport: Missoula Montana Airport (MSO) is another Montana regional commercial service airport of similar size and mission profile, sharing airline partners (Alaska, Delta, United, Allegiant), comparable enplanement volumes, and serving as the closest substitute airport for Flathead Valley travelers.
• Jackson Hole Airport: Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is a national-park gateway airport with a nearly identical value proposition—small footprint, tourism-anchored demand (Grand Teton/Yellowstone), seasonal capacity constraints, and premium-route mix—making it a tight functional peer.
• Great Falls International Airport: Great Falls International Airport (GTF) is a Montana regional commercial service airport with overlapping airline partners (Alaska, Delta, United), similar enplanement scale, and shared operating environment serving Northwestern Montana-adjacent communities.

Regional players

• Spokane International Airport: Spokane International Airport (GEG) is the nearest large-hub regional airport serving the Inland Northwest; while larger, it competes for connecting passenger traffic from Northwestern Montana and shares airline partners and weather-driven operational challenges.
• Idaho Falls Regional Airport: Idaho Falls Regional Airport (IDA) is a similarly sized regional commercial service airport serving an adjacent Intermountain West catchment; both airports share United/Delta service patterns and comparable general aviation ecosystems tied to outdoor recreation.
• Bellingham International Airport: Bellingham International Airport (BLI) is a Pacific Northwest regional gateway of comparable scale serving outdoor-recreation tourism (North Cascades, Mount Baker) with a similar mix of commercial service and general aviation activity.

Others

• Atlantic Aviation: Atlantic Aviation operates the FBO at GPIA and is a leading nationwide FBO chain; it is comparable as the on-airport general aviation service partner that fuels, charters, and stores private aircraft for Glacier visitors and GA operators.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GlacierParkInternationalAirport
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/glacier-park-international-airport

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Glacier Park International Airport