Bozeman, MT (January 17, 2020) The Gallatin Airport Authority (Authority) intends to file
an application with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to impose and
use a Passenger Facility Charges for improvement projects at Bozeman Yellowstone
International Airport (BZN), Belgrade, Montana. As required under Section
158.23 of Part 158 – Passenger Facility Charges, the Authority is hereby
providing written notices to all known air carriers having a significant
business interest in Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. The Authority
intends to file for PFC funding for Airport Improvement Projects (AIP) described
below.
The following paragraphs provide the information required
under Section 158.23 of Part 158 for the notices to air carriers serving Bozeman
Yellowstone International Airport of the Authorities intent to file the aforementioned
application to Impose and Use PFC Revenues.
Section 158.23(a)
(1). Description of Projects – Impose and Use
The Gallatin Airport Authority will file an application with
the FAA to Impose and Use Passenger Facility Charges for the airline terminal
expansion project including passenger boarding bridges and improvements to our
integrated baggage system. The phased projects listed are necessary to maintain
the airport in safe condition for the operation of aircraft and for the safety
of the traveling public.
Phase I - Expand
Terminal Building
The proposed project consists of the construction of approximately 82,000
square feet of Terminal Concourse expansion, reconstruction and modifications
to baggage delivery systems, existing utility demolition and new utility
additions, and commercial airline apron expansion. The project will also
require rebuilding the access road where it ties into the new grade of the
expanded commercial apron. Additionally, the proposed terminal and apron
expansions are on top of the existing security fence/gate access in that area,
so the fence will need to be removed and relocated to the south of the apron. The terminal currently serves eight passenger
boarding bridge gates, and the expansion will allow for up to four additional
gates to be added. The proposed terminal
improvements are shown on the attached exhibits.
Phase II - Integrated
Baggage System
The Integrated Baggage System will be constructed within the Terminal
Expansion project discussed above. The
ground floor will provide space for baggage, storage, and circulation of
employees. The proposed CBIS is anticipated to be a three EDS fully integrated
in-line system, including associated Level 2 (OSR) and Level 3 (CBRA) spaces
and search workstations. Peak CBIS
capacity is anticipated to be 950 BPH. The new baggage system will alleviate
problems caused by the large amount of oversize ski bags. The terminal building expansion is
anticipated to be complete in the early summer of 2020 and baggage improvements
will begin not long after construction is complete. The proposed baggage system improvements are
shown on the attached exhibits.
Phase III - Passenger
Loading Bridges (5 each)
The Terminal Expansion project above includes the construction of four
new gate positions for processing passengers.
This PFC application will also include the purchase and installation of
new passenger loading bridges to serve the new gate positions and the
replacement of an existing ramp drive loading bridge that has served its useful
service life. Therefore five new
passenger loading bridges will be installed at the completion of the terminal
project expansion discussed above.
Construction
Cost Estimates
If applicable, cost
estimates and sketches for the proposed projects are attached. Cost estimates
were developed based on actual project costs completed for projects previously
completed and for general planning purposes based on anticipated average unit
costs expressed in current dollars for future projects. The total estimated project costs and PFC
revenue are broken down as follows.
Impose and Use
Total Cost AIP Share TSA Share Local
Share PFC Cost
Expand Terminal
Building
$ 23,582,583 $7,016,652 $4,579,738 $11,986,193
Integrated Baggage
System
$29,242,000 $10,820,000
$18,422,000
Passenger Loading Bridges
$ 4,000,000 $4,000,000
$ 56,824,583
$7,016,652 $10,820,000 $4,579,738 $34,408,193
Section 158.23(a)(2). PFC Level, Charge Effective Date, Charge
Expiration Date, and Total Revenue
PFC Level:
$4.50 per enplaned
passenger at BZN.
Proposed
Charge Effective Date:
April 1, 2023
Estimated
Charge Expiration Date:
January 1, 2033
Estimated
Total PFC Revenue:
$34,408,193.00
Section 158.23(a)(3). Request that a Class of Carrier not be required
to Collect PFCs
(i) Class Designation: The class of carrier that would
not be required to collect a PFC, if approved by the FAA, is the on demand, non-scheduled
Air Taxi/Commercial Operators (ATCO).
The following is the list of those operators known to the Authority filing
FAA Form 1800-31.
(ii) and (iii)
Names of Known Carriers Belonging to Class Identified in this Section and Estimated
Number of Annual Enplaned Passengers:
Schedule Type Carrier Calendar
Year 2018
Enplanements
ATCO Aero
Jet Services LLC 19
ATCO Crow
Executive Air, Inc. 2
ATCO Kaiser
Air, Inc. 14
ATCO Netjets
Aviation, Inc. 591
ATCO Priester
Aviation LLC 3
ATCO Reliant
Air Charter, Inc. 2
ATCO Sunset
Aviation LLC 63
Total ATCO 694
Source: Federal Aviation
Administration.
(iv) Reasons for Requesting that Carriers Identified in this Section Not
be Required to Collect the PFC: The number of passengers
enplaned annually by this type of carrier represents about 0.1% of the
commercial operations operating on the BZN Airport. The estimated revenue from these carriers
over the next ten years would be about $28,000.00 as compared to the estimated
revenue of $35,000,000.00 from all the other carriers. In accordance with Section 158.11 of CFR
Title14 Part 158, the Authority may request of the FAA in its Application to
Impose and Use PFCs that collection of PFCs by any class of air carriers or
foreign air carriers not be required to collect a PFC if the number of enplaned
passengers by the carrier in the class constitutes no more than 1% of the total
number of passengers enplaned annually at BZN Airport. This would be the case with the on demand,
non-scheduled Air Taxi/Commercial Operators.
Public Comment: The Gallatin Airport Authority welcomes the public's comments and support for these projects. Members of the public wishing to comment on the proposed projects should mail those comments with a postal date no later than February 10, 2020 to Brian Sprenger, Airport Director at the following address: Bozeman Yellowstone Int'l AIrport, 850 Gallatin Field Rd., Ste 6, Belgrade, MT 59714.
Brian Sprenger, Airport Director
Bozeman Yellowstone Int'l Airport (BZN)
Gallatin Airport Authority
