The number of flights at Durango-La Plata County Airport will increase slightly with American Airlines adding a third daily Dallas flight. Also, the long-awaited return of Frontier Airlines in the spring will provide airline options for traveling to and from Denver.
American Airlines announced Tuesday it will add the flight beginning May 7 to its already existing itinerary, according to an airport news release.
Kip Turner, director of aviation at the airport, said he’s been working on obtaining the third American flight since he began in 2013.
Dallas is the third largest market for Durango and the Four Corners, he said. Texas, in general, conducts a lot of business within the region. Many residents, particularly in the Dallas area, have second homes in Durango, work within the gas and oil industry and some often come as tourists, he said.
“It’s a huge, huge portion of our market share,” Turner said.
American Airlines also plans to upgrade its planes to accommodate the growing number of passengers. The flights almost always fill to capacity, he said.
Turner is unsure if the additional Dallas flight will be a permanent fixture.
The flight times have changed to allow passengers traveling for business in the morning to have the opportunity to return in the evening.
“It’s going to be a nice addition to our service to Dallas,” he said.
Passengers flying from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Durango have the option of leaving at 9 a.m., 1:45 p.m. or 5:15 p.m.
Passengers flying from Durango to Dallas-Fort Worth have the option of leaving at 8:05 a.m., 11:20 a.m. or 4:05 p.m.
Turner’s next goal, he said, is to work with American Airlines in obtaining a direct flight from Houston, the area’s second largest market.
In addition to additional flights to Dallas, Frontier Airlines will return April 14 with service to Denver.
Flights will operate Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays between Denver International Airport and Durango-La Plata County Airport.
An aircraft will leave at 2:50 p.m. from Denver and at 6:29 p.m. from Durango, three days per week.
Additionally, Turner said the airlines stepped up their game, offering additional service during the holidays. The airlines also have been known to add flights during summer tourism season.
Durango-La Plata County Airport is the fifth busiest airport in Colorado, Turner said.
“We are very blessed with United, Frontier, American and US Airways all operating out of Durango,” he said. “We fill up all those planes for all those carriers.”
vguthrie@durangoherald.com