Taos Airport: Does It Exist?

is there an airport in taos

Taos Regional Airport (IATA: TSM) is a public-use airport located about eight nautical miles northwest of Taos, New Mexico, in the United States. The airport, which opened in 1967, has seen scheduled airline services by various carriers over the years and currently offers seasonal flights to destinations such as Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Taos Air, the current provider, offers a seamless and inspiring travel experience, attracting creatives and adventurers alike. With its convenient location and services, Taos Regional Airport plays a vital role in facilitating travel to and from the enchanting high desert region of Taos.

Characteristics Values
Name Taos Regional Airport
Location Eight nautical miles (15 km) northwest of the central business district of Taos, in Taos County, New Mexico, United States
Owner The Town of Taos
Type Public-use airport
Classification General aviation airport
Area 832 acres (337 ha)
Elevation 7,095 feet (2,163 m) above mean sea level
Number of runways 2
Year opened March 1967
Year second runway opened August 2022
Destinations Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Diego, Denver, Las Vegas
Airlines Taos Air, JSX, United, American, Alaska Airlines
Onsite facilities Parking

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Taos Regional Airport is a public-use airport

The airport has seen various airlines operate over the years, with different carriers providing scheduled services to and from Taos. The first known carrier was Trans Central Airlines, which offered flights to Albuquerque during the winter of 1968-1969. Other airlines that have served the airport include the Santa Fe Airline Company, Mountain Air, Zia Airlines, Mesa Airlines, and Rio Grande Air.

Taos Regional Airport initially had a single asphalt runway, designated 4/22, measuring 5,504 by 75 feet. However, in August 2017, a second asphalt runway, designated 13/31, was added. This new runway measures 8,600 by 100 feet. The airport is home to a variety of aircraft, including single-engine planes, multi-engine planes, helicopters, and ultralights.

In terms of commercial service, there was a period from 2005 to 2018 when no flights were available. This changed when Taos Air, operated by the Taos Ski Valley, began winter ski-season flights to Austin and Dallas Love Field Airport using Dornier 328Jets. During the 2019-2020 ski season, Taos Air expanded its routes to include Los Angeles and San Diego. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary suspension of services, but flights resumed in 2021 and continue to operate, with some changes in airports and operators. The virtual name of Taos Air was discontinued in May 2024, and JSX announced renewed and expanded services to various destinations.

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Taos Air provides seasonal flights to several destinations

Taos Air, operated by the Taos Ski Valley, provides seasonal flights to several destinations. Taos Regional Airport, a public-use airport, is located around eight nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Taos, New Mexico. The airport is owned by the Town of Taos and primarily caters to general aviation. Taos Air offers flights to Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Diego. During the 2023/24 winter ski season, the Austin service operated from Austin Executive Airport, while San Diego flights operated from the McClellan-Palomar airport near Carlsbad, California.

Taos Air commenced operations in late 2018, providing winter ski-season service to Austin and Dallas Love Field Airport using Fairchild Dornier 328Jets. During the 2019-20 ski season, the airline expanded its services to Los Angeles and San Diego. There was a hiatus during the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Taos Air resumed flights in 2021, including summer season operations. In June 2022, the airline switched to using JSX's Embraer 135 and Embraer 145 aircraft. This change also led to adjustments in the Austin and San Diego routes.

The history of Taos Regional Airport dates back to March 1967 when it first opened as the Taos Municipal Airport. Over the years, various airlines have served the airport, including Trans Central Airlines, Santa Fe Airline Company, Mountain Air, Zia Airlines, Mesa Airlines, and Rio Grande Air. The airport currently has two asphalt runways, with the second one added in August 2021.

Fly Taos, operated by JSX, offers a unique travel experience to Taos, New Mexico. It promises a seamless journey, skipping the airport traffic and hassles. The in-flight ambiance is designed to ensure passengers arrive refreshed and inspired, soaking in the breathtaking views of the Southwest and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Fly Taos caters to a culture of creatives, including artists, writers, and thinkers, who are drawn to the vibrant and inspiring atmosphere of Taos. The service provides a generous two-bag policy, allowing passengers to bring their gear and embrace their passions.

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The airport has two runways

Taos Regional Airport (IATA: TSM, ICAO: KSKX, FAA LID: SKX) is a public-use airport located around eight nautical miles (15 km) northwest of Taos's central business district, in Taos County, New Mexico. The airport, which is owned by the Town of Taos, first opened in March 1967 as the Taos Municipal Airport with a single runway.

The addition of the second runway enhanced the airport's capacity and improved operational efficiency, allowing for more seamless aircraft movements. Both runways are equipped with the necessary lighting and navigational aids to facilitate safe takeoffs and landings.

The airport has seen various airline operators over the years, with Taos Air being the current provider as of April 2022. Taos Air offers seasonal flights to destinations, including Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Diego. The airport primarily serves general aviation needs, with a smaller percentage of air taxi and military flights.

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The airport is owned by the Town of Taos

Taos Regional Airport (IATA: TSM, ICAO: KSKX, FAA LID: SKX) is indeed owned by the Town of Taos. It is a public-use airport situated approximately eight nautical miles (15 km) northwest of the central business district of Taos, in Taos County, New Mexico, United States. The airport covers 832 acres of land and sits at an elevation of 7,095 feet (2,163 m) above sea level.

The airport first opened in March 1967 as the Taos Municipal Airport. It initially had a single asphalt runway, designated 4/22, which measured 5,504 feet by 75 feet (1,678 m x 23 m). Over the years, the airport has been served by several commuter and regional air carriers, including Trans Central Airlines, the Santa Fe Airline Company, Mountain Air, Zia Airlines, Mesa Airlines, and Rio Grande Air.

In August 2017, a second runway, designated 13/31, was added to the airport. This new asphalt runway measures 8,600 feet by 100 feet. The airport is currently served by Taos Air, which offers seasonal flights to various destinations, including Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Diego. The airline operates using JSX's Embraer 135 and Embraer 145 aircraft.

Taos Regional Airport primarily serves general aviation needs, with some air taxi and military flights also operating from the airport. As of April 2022, the airport reported 7,000 aircraft operations for the year, averaging 134 per week. The airport is home to 30 based aircraft, including single-engine planes, multi-engine planes, helicopters, and ultralights.

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The airport is home to 30 based aircraft

Taos Regional Airport (IATA: TSM, ICAO: KSKX, FAA LID: SKX) is a public-use airport located eight nautical miles (approximately 15 km) northwest of Taos, New Mexico, in the United States. The airport, owned by the Town of Taos, first opened in March 1967 as the Taos Municipal Airport. It has since been a hub for various regional air carriers, with its first known carrier being Trans Central Airlines, which serviced flights to Albuquerque during the 1968-1969 winter season.

Today, the airport is home to 30 based aircraft, a mix of single-engine planes, multi-engine planes, helicopters, and ultralight aircraft. The current airline provider, Taos Air, offers seasonal flights to several destinations, including Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Taos Air is a virtual airline operated by the Taos Ski Valley, providing a convenient option for winter ski-season travellers.

The airport's elevation sits at 7,095 feet (2,163 meters) above mean sea level, and it spans 832 acres (337 hectares) of land. As of April 2022, the airport reported 7,000 aircraft operations for the year, averaging about 134 flights per week. These operations primarily consisted of general aviation (94%), air taxi services (3%), and military flights (3%).

Taos Regional Airport has undergone expansions over the years, including the addition of a second runway in August 2017. The original runway, designated 4/22, is an asphalt surface measuring 5,504 feet (1,678 meters) in length and 75 feet (23 meters) in width. The second runway, designated 13/31, is also asphalt-surfaced and measures 8,600 feet (2,621 meters) by 100 feet (30 meters). Plans are underway to further develop the airport with a new 8,000-square-foot terminal building.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the Taos Regional Airport (IATA: TSM) is a public-use airport located in Taos County, New Mexico.

The airport first opened in March 1967 as the Taos Municipal Airport.

Several airlines have operated from the airport over the years, including Trans Central Airlines, Santa Fe Airline Company, Mountain Air, Zia Airlines, Mesa Airlines, and Rio Grande Air. As of 2022, the current provider is Taos Air.

Taos Air offers seasonal flights to several destinations, including Austin, Dallas, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

The airport offers onsite parking and is accessible via the RTD Taos Airport Shuttle Service. Ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft are also available in Taos County, but with limited availability.

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