The Return of the Yellowstone International Airshow

Billings Logan International Airport Advertorial

Billings, Montana

The Billings Logan International Airport has undergone numerous transformations in the last five years, nearly doubling its service for travelers. Last year, they exceeded 1,000,000 passengers for the first time. Jeff Roach, Director of Aviation and Transit, said they are on track to repeat that success this year. 

Jeff was hired three years ago, and in that time, he’s kept the master plan moving forward with updates and improvements, including a complete terminal renovation. The next phase, slated to begin this month, is a remodel of the ticket counters that will move people through the ticket line more quickly and allow room for additional carriers. 

Passengers and the community are excited not just by the overall facility improvements, but also by the news that the airport will once again host an air show on August 22 and 23, only the second to be held in Billings in the past twenty years. 

“An air show is all about supporting the community and getting our image out,” Jeff said. “People love airshows: the drama, the dramatics, the noise and especially the flying. Just the excitement gets them fired up.” 

This year’s show promises spectacle-scale excitement as the Navy’s Blue Angels return to headline the two-day event. The unmatched precision, discipline and power of naval aviation guarantee a performance that will leave the audience in awe. 

“It’s a big deal to have the Blue Angels back,” Jeff said. “They were here in 2023 and almost as soon as the show was over, the Yellowstone International Air Show asked to be back on the military airshow cycle.” 

Matthew McDonnell, Co-Chair of the Yellowstone International Airshow, agreed and said their return to Billings is a big deal – for the community and the Blue Angels. 

“With the number of requests that the Blue Angels receive every year, and for Billings to pull this off again shows we obviously made an impact last time,” Matthew said. “Every year they have over 300 requests and for us to get them again is really remarkable.” 

As soon as the commitment was made, work began again for the Yellowstone International Air Show, a group of dedicated volunteers who successfully put on the 2023 show.  

“The logistics are incredible,” Jeff said. “There’re so many things to take care of that the Blue Angels require. The list is extensive.” 

Since the airport acts only as a host, the responsibility of the details lies with the air show committee. 

“We do a lot of the physical things that need to be done, such as working with the Navy to put an arresting cable across the main runway, and panels that extend the center line of the course used as a reference for pilots to judge their location,” Jeff said. “We oversee where they are placing the grandstands and support activities, and of course, we have to make sure everything is safe since it’s an active airfield, but the Air Show committee handles the rest of it.” 

“There is a lot to it,” Matthew said. “The number of rental cars and hotel rooms alone is staggering.” 

The Yellowstone International Air Show rolled out the red carpet for the Blue Angels last time and they are planning on repeating that hospitality again. 

“Unlike most shows, the Blue Angels come here for a week,” Matthew continued. “They'll bring their families along and we’ll take them to see a Montana ranch where they’ll have a steak, ride horses, shoot guns and float the river – they’ll get a real taste of Montana.” 

Though the Blue Angels might be entertained for a couple of days before the show, it’s all hands-on-deck in preparation. At the airport, Jeff’s team will ensure that planned flights during the shows have been rerouted or cancelled, the open fields are ready for an onslaught of traffic, and all other airport-delegated tasks are complete.  

In addition to the two-day performance, two days of practice are held before the Saturday and Sunday show. Hundreds of volunteers are needed to ensure the show's success, beginning almost daily two weeks before the show, continuing through the air show and ending the day after. Volunteers staff areas such as set-up, ticket taking, grounds keeping, and security. 

“It is a lot of work,” Jeff said. “The airport doesn’t financially benefit from the show, but it’s something that the community loves and it’s a real positive image for our town.” 

“It will be a truly unique experience,” Matthew added. “And what better way to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday?”