Third Quarter Passenger Traffic Continues To Set Records

Durango, CO – Airline passenger traffic at the Durango-La Plata County Airport continues its record growth. Passenger traffic set monthly records every month during the third quarter rising a total of 8% for the quarter. 137,967 passengers have boarded commercial airlines through the end of September, 2012, a year-to-year increase of 4.8%.

“We expect this trend to continue” says Director of Aviation, Ron Dent. “US Air and American Airlines have announced additional service during the holiday season, each adding one additional flight. Both United and Frontier airlines are also flying larger aircraft, adding a significant number of seats in the market. Currently, the four airlines serving Durango have increased the number of airline seats departing Durango to as many as 870 daily. “The significant increase in passenger traffic is straining the terminal and auto parking facilities at the Airport”, Dent said. A major terminal building expansion is currently in design which, if built, will reduce security screening wait times and provide a much more pleasant experience for passengers waiting to board their flights. The current overflow parking lot was also scheduled to be paved this fall but heavy use of the parking facilities have forced the delay in this project until next year because that temporary lot is currently needed to handle the large numbers of parked vehicles.

“We are very concerned about the ability of the Airport to accommodate all vehicles planning to park here during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays so we are urging our customers to utilize alternative transportation to the Airport during these busy periods, if at all possible” Dent suggested. “We are also suggesting that passengers arrive well before their scheduled departure to avoid waiting in long lines at the security check point.”