Connecting People, Powering Economies: Jacobs to Deliver Enhancements at Montana Airport

Airports are lifelines for communities and engines for economic growth. At Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell, Montana, Jacobs is delivering projects to keep this vital hub operating safely and efficiently for decades to come.

Jacobs has worked with the Flathead Municipal Airport Authority since 2007, providing a wide range of planning, design and construction support services to maintain and modernize the airport.

Under this long-standing relationship, Jacobs is now leading two key projects: 

• Runway 2/20 Rehabilitation: Jacobs provided design services and will be delivering services during construction for the full rehabilitation of the airport’s primary runway under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program grant. From project execution planning to on-site coordination and quality assurance, Jacobs will keep this critical infrastructure upgrade on track while minimizing operational disruptions. 

• New Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting and Snow Removal Equipment Facility Design: Jacobs will prepare 30% design documents for a new, state-of-the-art aircraft rescue and firefighting and snow removal equipment building. The proposed 50,000 to 60,000-square-foot facility will consolidate emergency response and snow operations to improve efficiency. The design will meet FAA standards and include modern amenities for crews, advanced maintenance bays and sustainable site improvements. 

“The airport is a vital connection for residents and visitors heading to Glacier National Park, one of the nation’s most popular parks,” says Jacobs Aviation Market Director – Americas Steve Pelham. “With passenger traffic at the airport growing more than 11% since 2024, these projects are essential to sustaining safe, efficient operations and supporting the region’s thriving tourism economy. A runway in top condition and emergency facilities equipped to respond are fundamental to any airport — and these projects address both. We’re grateful for the confidence Glacier Park International has placed in Jacobs since 2007 to deliver solutions across so many facets of their operations.”