"The story is up. It's incredible," Easton said.
More people are flying into and out of Missoula's airport than any other airport of similar size in the contiguous 48 states.
Some of the increased activity is due to new service, including direct flights to and from Denver on United Airlines. In addition, other airlines have added flights to cities they already served, he said.
The regional economy is growing, which may be behind the rising numbers. And Easton believes the numbers are likely to continue to rise, he said.
Economic signs point to steady growth, and the number of flights and destinations are likely to keep expanding.
In the short term, Allegiant Air, a Las Vegas-based budget airline, will begin offering service to Missoula at the end of this month.
And Easton and others have been shopping for more airline options for Missoula. Last week, Easton met with representatives of Phoenix-based America West Airlines. The airline has expressed interest in serving Missoula, and the airport hopes to accommodate the company.
The market is there to be served, Easton said. The airport serves a major patch of western Montana. More than 156,000 people live between Philipsburg and Polson, and 91 percent of air travelers from that region fly to and from Missoula, according to a study conducted by Oregon-based Mead & Hunt, an airport consulting firm.
The idea that customers from the Missoula market fly through Spokane's airport is "a myth," Easton said.
"When you factor in two tanks of gas, hotels and parking, suddenly Southwest Airlines isn't so cheap," he said.
Reporter Robert Struckman can be reached at 523-5262 or rstruckman@missoulian.com
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