Backcountry-apron users urge Boise Airport not to eliminate Gate 58; staff says Concourse A footprint conflicts with current location

BOISE, Idaho — During Feb. 5 public comment at the Boise Airport Commission meeting, aviation operators and users urged the commission and staff to preserve access that had been provided by the “backcountry apron” (commonly called Gate 58) or to identify an equivalent location in design plans for Concourse A.

Joe Schroeder, who requested the item be placed on the agenda, told commissioners the airport’s backcountry apron has been a longstanding resource for rural air travel in Idaho and warned that removing it would reduce connectivity to smaller communities. “This backcountry apron that has been at the Boise Airport for decades, that is the only support that rural air travel in our state gets,” Schroeder said. He cited examples of rural communities and past plans (including operations by McCall Aviation) that depended on apron access for short commuter routes.

Schroeder said other airports serving rural areas — he cited Anchorage’s South Terminal operations — provide comparable non‑sterile access points, and he argued Boise should preserve a similar capability somewhere on or adjacent to the terminal complex. He said the airport’s master plan previously recognized the backcountry apron and that commercial operators and fixed-base operators believed a replacement resource would be retained in expansion plans.

Airport staff answered during the meeting that the current Gate 58 location conflicts with the proposed Concourse A footprint and an associated north‑side taxi lane needed to serve the new gates. A staff member said, “given the upcoming, projected construction of Concourse A, its current location that is utilized is directly in conflict with the plans for Concourse A as well as the North Side taxi lane to access the northernmost gates of Concourse A,” and added, “As it stands today, we can't have both of those amenities, Concourse A as well as Gate 58 in this current location coexist.” Staff invited Schroeder and other involved operators to join further, offline conversations to identify possible alternative locations or operational solutions.

Resident and former airline operations leader Mark Christiansen also spoke in public comment, thanking the commission and praising airport operations and personnel for their service and institutional knowledge. Christiansen, who said he retired after 35 years with Horizon Airlines, described Boise’s operational environment as a positive factor in airline operations.

Why it matters

Gate 58 has been used by operators serving rural Idaho communities and, according to commenters, is a key piece of statewide rural connectivity. Schroeder argued that without federal rural air subsidies in Idaho comparable to other states, maintaining apron access is one of the few ways the airport can facilitate future rural routes. Staff acknowledged the conflict with Concourse A plans but did not confirm a new location; staff proposed follow‑up discussions.

What’s next

Airport staff asked to continue conversations offline with backcountry operators to explore alternate locations or design adjustments that could preserve rural access while allowing Concourse A construction. Commissioners did not make a decision at the meeting; public comment closed after staff invited continued engagement.

Ending: Public commenters asked to be included in forthcoming master‑plan and design discussions so that any replacement of Gate 58’s function is addressed in project design and procurement.