Colorado Springs Airport: A Busy Travel Hub?

Colorado Springs Airport (IATA: COS) is a small, city-owned public civil-military airport located 6 miles southeast of downtown Colorado Springs, in El Paso County, Colorado, United States. It is the second busiest commercial service airport in the state, after Denver International Airport. The airport covers 7,200 acres and has one terminal with two concourses and 12 departure gates. The airport is easily accessible by road and public transport, and offers daily nonstop flights and hundreds of connections worldwide.

Colorado Springs Airport is the second busiest commercial airport in Colorado

The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1927 when it opened with two gravel runways. Initially, only small airlines operated mail routes with occasional passenger services. Over the years, the airport expanded, and in 1942, the first municipal terminal was constructed in an art deco style. However, the military took over the field during World War II, and it wasn't until after the war that the city regained control. Further expansions occurred in the following decades, including the addition of runways and new terminals.

Today, the airport covers 7,200 acres and has three paved runways, the longest of which is 13,500 feet in length. The airport has one terminal with two concourses and approximately a dozen shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars. It offers a range of amenities, including ATMs, baggage carts, a chapel, mobile charging points, lockers, and 24-hour food options. The security checkpoints operate from 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and the airport is open 24 hours a day.

In recent years, the Colorado Springs Airport has continued to develop, with plans for expansion announced in 2022. The expansion includes doubling the number of gates, relocating the control tower, and consolidating other airport services. These improvements aim to enhance the airport's efficiency and capacity, solidifying its position as the second busiest commercial airport in the state.

The airport is easily accessible by road and public transport

The Colorado Springs Airport is easily accessible by road and public transport. The airport is located 6 miles (9.7 km) southeast of downtown Colorado Springs, in El Paso County, and is accessible by car via Milton E. Proby Parkway and Powers Boulevard/SH 21. The expressway, Powers Boulevard/SH 21, is a primary expressway in El Paso County and provides easy access to the airport from the west. Milton E. Proby Parkway loops through the airport, providing access to the terminal, parking, and rental car return areas. The road also provides access to other airport facilities, such as the Northrop Grumman building and the Amazon distribution center via Peak Innovation Parkway.

For those using public transportation, the airport is serviced by Colorado Springs' public transportation system, Mountain Metropolitan Transit. Additionally, private transportation services such as Groome Transportation are available. Car rental services are also conveniently located on-site, with companies such as Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National Car Rental providing options for travellers.

The airport has a single terminal with two concourses, with the larger concourse housing gates 1-12 for commercial use. The second concourse, called the Western Pacific Airlines concourse, is primarily used for meetings. The airport is currently undergoing expansion plans, with intentions to double the number of gates and relocate the control tower to accommodate increasing passenger traffic.

Colorado Springs Airport has a rich history, dating back to 1927 when it opened with two gravel runways. Over the years, the airport has expanded and evolved, with new terminals and runways being added to accommodate growing demand. In 1996, the airport saw nearly 5 million passengers, its highest recorded passenger traffic, with Western Pacific Airlines having a hub at the airport.

It has a range of facilities, including food options, ATMs, and baggage carts

Colorado Springs Airport is the second busiest commercial service airport in Colorado, with nearly 5 million passengers in 1996. The airport has a range of facilities to cater to its many passengers, including food options, ATMs, and baggage carts.

The airport has a variety of food options available for hungry travellers. These include restaurants, cafes, and grab-and-go options. For those who want to grab a quick bite before their flight, there are a number of fast-food options available, including burger joints and pizza places. There are also sit-down restaurants for those who want to relax and enjoy a meal before their journey.

ATMs are located throughout the airport, making it convenient for passengers to withdraw cash before their flights. The ATMs are easily accessible and located near the gates, making it convenient for passengers to access their money.

Baggage carts are also available at the airport, making it easy for passengers to transport their luggage. The carts are located near the baggage claim area, making it convenient for passengers to collect their luggage and transport it to their vehicles or other transportation options.

In addition to these facilities, Colorado Springs Airport also offers a range of other services to make the travel experience more convenient and comfortable for its passengers. These include car rental services, with counters located on the lower level, outside of the secured area, across from baggage claim. The airport is easily accessible by public transportation, with Colorado Springs' public transportation system, Mountain Metropolitan Transit, providing service to and from the airport.

The airport also has a variety of shops, including gift shops and newsstands, making it convenient for passengers to pick up any last-minute items or gifts. The airport also has a number of lounges, providing a comfortable space for passengers to relax and wait for their flights.

The airport has a small terminal with 12 departure gates and a few shops and restaurants

Colorado Springs Airport is a small, city-owned public civil-military airport located about 6 miles southeast of downtown Colorado Springs, in El Paso County, Colorado. It is the second busiest commercial service airport in the state after Denver International Airport. The airport covers 7,200 acres and has one terminal with two concourses, 12 departure gates, and a few shops and restaurants. The airport's first municipal terminal was built in 1942 in an art deco style, but the field was soon taken over by the military in the months preceding World War II. After the war, the city regained control, and in 1966, a new terminal was built on the west side of the runways, just east of Powers Boulevard. This terminal was expanded in the 1980s with the addition of six gates.

The Colorado Springs Airport provides a travel experience that prioritises friendliness, safety, and comfort. It offers the speed and convenience of a small airport, with options for daily nonstop flights and hundreds of connections worldwide. The airport is easily accessible by road, with Milton E. Proby Parkway looping through the airport and providing access to the terminal, parking, and rental car services. Powers Boulevard/SH 21, a primary expressway in El Paso County, also provides easy access to general and private aviation hangars, maintenance facilities, and FBOs.

The airport is serviced by Colorado Springs' public transportation system, Mountain Metropolitan Transit, and private transportation services such as Groome Transportation are also available. Car rental companies like Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, and National Car Rental provide on-airport car rentals, with counters located on the lower level outside of the secured area. The airport is open 24 hours a day, but the security checkpoints operate from 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and TSA, airline check-in, and baggage drop hours vary according to the flight schedule.

In March 2022, the airport released a plan for expansion, including doubling the number of gates, relocating the control tower, and consolidating other airport services. The airport's small size and limited dining options have been noted by travellers, who have described it as "tiny" and "dead" even during busy travel periods like Thanksgiving. Despite this, some appreciate the convenience and ease of navigating the airport, highlighting the short time it takes to get from parking to the gate.

Colorado Springs Airport has plans to expand, including doubling the number of gates

The Colorado Springs Airport is a small airport located about 6 miles southeast of downtown Colorado Springs, in El Paso County, Colorado. It is the second busiest commercial service airport in the state, after Denver International Airport. The airport is easily accessible, has low parking rates, and offers a pleasant overall experience. In March 2022, the airport unveiled an expansion plan, intending to double the number of gates from 12 to 24, increase parking, and renovate the terminal. This expansion aligns with the airport's desire to accommodate the growing community's needs and attract more airlines offering nonstop flights.

The expansion plan also includes relocating the control tower and consolidating other airport services. The airport's master plan involves acquiring 562 acres of land adjacent to its current eastern boundary, between the airport and Marksheffel Road. This land acquisition, costing $38 million, will provide various benefits to airport operations and the surrounding area. It will enable the expansion of the Peak Innovation Park, making it more competitive for larger national developments common to airport industrial and office parks.

The Colorado Springs Airport has a long history, dating back to 1927 when it opened with two gravel runways. Initially, small airlines operated a mail route with occasional passenger services. Over the years, the airport has expanded, with new terminals built in 1942 and 1966, and additional gates added in the 1980s. The current terminal, approved in 1991, is located two miles east of the former terminal.

The airport covers 7,200 acres and has three paved runways, with the longest being 13,500 feet in length, making it the longest runway in Colorado until 2003. The airport is accessible by Milton E. Proby Parkway, which provides easy access to the terminal and various airport facilities. The parkway also connects to Powers Boulevard/SH 21, a primary expressway offering access to general and private aviation hangars, maintenance facilities, and FBOs.

The expansion plan is a 20-year project, with funding from the federal government's Airport Improvement Program, sourced from fuel taxes on aviation use. The airport does not rely on taxes from the local economy. While the expansion of the terminal may be years away, the airport is taking proactive steps to meet the community's needs and maintain its reputation as a convenient and enjoyable travel option.

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