Airport gears up for summer traffic

Nonstop flights to Denver, Chicago will start in June

By Lynnette Hintze Hagadone News Network

KALISPELL — Expanded flight offerings at Glacier Park International Airport will roughly double the number of passengers using the airport this summer.

"Right now, we have 790 seats available daily. This summer, depending on the day, we'll have 1,400," airport Director Cindi Martin said.

United Airlines begins its new nonstop, year-round jet service between Denver and Kalispell on June 7, with two flights daily. The airline also will offer nonstop flights twice a week to Chicago's O'Hare International starting June 7 and continuing through the summer season.

"Early bookings are very strong, with a couple of days oversold," Martin said. "Some days in July there's not a seat in or out of here."

Delta Air Lines is slated to offer twice-weekly nonstop Boeing jet service with 150-passenger capacity to Atlanta starting June 9 and continuing much of the summer. Delta subsidiary SkyWest will beef up its passenger capacity in early June, adding three more daily flights to Salt Lake City, Martin said.

The brisk summer air traffic means travelers will need extra vigilance in allowing enough time to check in, she stressed.

"We'll be moving 1,400 people a day in a very short period of time, and if they're not here, they will miss their flight," Martin said.

Travelers are requested to arrive at the airport two hours before their departure to proceed through the check-in and security processes.

Glacier Park International recently launched its new Web site, www.iflyglacier.com, which allows people to check on and book flights, ground transportation and lodging. The airport now offers free wireless Internet.

Many travelers still have questions about security requirements as they relate to carry-on items, especially passengers who travel infrequently, Martin said.

The "3-1-1" rule for carry-on luggage is among the newest requirements — 3-ounce bottles or less of liquid or gel in a 1-quart clear plastic zip-top bag; one bag per passenger placed in screening bin.

A link to the Transportation Security Administration Web site can be found on the Glacier Park International site, and is a good resource of security requirements, Martin said. Passengers traveling with children, pets or sending unaccompanied minors on planes this summer will find new regulations apply.

"Security issues still baffle people," she said, adding that noncompliance causes delays in the check-in process.