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Durango–La Plata County Airport (DRO) is the primary airport for those travelling to Durango, Colorado. The airport is located around 12 miles southeast of Durango and offers over a dozen daily non-stop flights nationwide. Durango-La Plata County Airport is served by two major US airlines, American and United, and offers year-round daily nonstop routes to Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, and Phoenix.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Durango–La Plata County Airport |
| Other Names | Durango Airport, La Plata County Airport |
| Location | 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Durango, La Plata County, Colorado, United States |
| Owner | City of Durango and La Plata County |
| Operation | Self-funded and fully self-sustaining |
| Revenue | Charges and fees assessed to tenants, passengers, and other users; federal and state grants |
| Employees | 21 full-time, 3-5 part-time or seasonal |
| Airport Code | DRO |
| Runway | 3/21, 9,201 by 150 feet (2,804 x 46 m) asphalt |
| Aircraft Operations | 38,468 (for the year ending January 1, 2020), average 105 per day |
| Aircraft Breakdown | 52 single-engine, 9 multi-engine, 5 jet, 1 helicopter, and 2 glider (as of June 2020) |
| Facilities | 3 boarding gates, 5 plane stands, a pre-security restaurant, a gift shop, free Wi-Fi |
| Airlines | SkyWest Airlines, Mesa Airlines, United, Frontier Airlines, America West Airlines, Trans-Colorado Airlines, Aspen Airways, Monarch Air Lines, Rio Grande Air, Mountain Air Express, Western Pacific Airlines, and more |
| Destinations | Albuquerque, Salt Lake City, Denver, Phoenix, Tucson, Farmington, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and more |
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What You'll Learn
Durango-La Plata County Airport's location and elevation
Durango-La Plata County Airport, also known as Durango Airport and La Plata County Airport, is located approximately 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Durango, in La Plata County, Colorado, United States. It is the primary regional airport for southwest Colorado, northwest New Mexico, and the entire Four Corners Region. The airport is categorized as a non-hub primary commercial service facility and covers an area of 1,281 acres (518 ha) at an elevation of 6,685 feet (2,038 m).
The airport's first commercial flight commenced on November 27, 1946, when Monarch Air Lines began flights using Douglas DC-3 aircraft. New routes were added to Albuquerque and Salt Lake City the following year, with Durango serving as the connecting hub for these three routes. On June 1, 1950, Monarch was merged into Frontier Airlines, and a new route to Phoenix was introduced. The flights to Albuquerque and Salt Lake City were discontinued in the early 1950s and redirected through Farmington, New Mexico.
In 1959, Frontier Airlines acquired 44-passenger Convair 340 aircraft, adding new nonstop flights from Durango to Denver, Phoenix, and Tucson with a stop in Farmington. By 1966, the Convair 340s had been upgraded to Convair 580 turboprop aircraft. Direct flights to Albuquerque were reinstated in 1969. During the summer of 1977, the airport was temporarily closed to extend the main runway to accommodate jet traffic. In November 1977, Frontier Airlines introduced the first jets to the airport, offering flights to Denver with a stop in Pueblo, Colorado.
Today, Durango-La Plata County Airport offers daily non-stop flights to destinations such as Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Phoenix, and Salt Lake City. It is served by major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines. The airport features three boarding gates, five plane stands, a pre-security restaurant, and a gift shop. It provides free Wi-Fi internet access throughout the passenger terminal.
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Airlines and flights serving the airport
Durango-La Plata County Airport (IATA: DRO, ICAO: KDRO, FAA LID: DRO) is located approximately 12-14 miles southeast of Durango, Colorado. The airport offers over a dozen daily non-stop flights nationwide.
The airport's first commercial flight was operated by Monarch Air Lines on November 27, 1946, using Douglas DC-3 aircraft. The airline offered flights to Denver, with stops at Monte Vista, Canon City, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs. The following year, Monarch Air Lines added new routes to Albuquerque and Salt Lake City, with Durango serving as the connecting hub.
In the 1950s, flights to Albuquerque and Salt Lake City were redirected through Farmington, New Mexico, which became Frontier's connecting hub for the Four Corners states. Frontier Airlines acquired 44-passenger Convair 340 aircraft in 1959, introducing nonstop flights to Denver and new flights to Phoenix and Tucson with a stop in Farmington. By 1966, the airline had upgraded to Convair 580 turboprop aircraft. Direct flights to Albuquerque resumed in 1969.
During the summer of 1977, the airport was closed temporarily to extend the main runway to accommodate jet traffic. In November 1977, Frontier Airlines introduced the first jets to the airport, operating Boeing 737 flights to Denver with a stop in Pueblo, Colorado.
In terms of more recent history, American Eagle service to Phoenix was introduced in late 2015 by Mesa Airlines and SkyWest after the merger of American and US Airways. Mesa Airlines now exclusively provides American Eagle service to Dallas/Fort Worth and Phoenix using Canadair CRJ-900 regional jets. SkyWest Airlines also offers seasonal Saturday-only flights during the summer to Chicago and Los Angeles.
Additionally, Delta Connection service, operated by SkyWest Airlines, served the route between Durango and Salt Lake City from mid-2006 through late 2008 with Canadair CRJ-200 regional jets. This service resumed on May 5, 2021, but ended on November 1, 2021. As of that date, only American, United, and Frontier Airlines were flying to Durango-La Plata County Airport.
The airport offers daily, non-stop service to Denver (DEN) and seasonal, non-stop service to Houston (IAH).
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Passenger numbers and safety
Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO) is the primary airport for travellers to and from Durango, Colorado. It is also the main airport for the wider region, serving Southwest Colorado, Northwest New Mexico, and the entire Four Corners Region.
Passenger Numbers
In 2022, Durango-La Plata County Airport welcomed over 367,000 passengers. The airport is served by two major US airlines: American and United. These offer year-round daily non-stop routes to and from Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, and Phoenix. Seasonal non-stop service is also available to Houston.
Safety
The Durango-La Plata County Airport website states that the airport offers the "highest levels of safety". Passengers are advised to check in no later than 45 minutes before departure and to arrive 2 hours before international departures.
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Terminal facilities and amenities
Durango-La Plata County Airport (IATA: DRO, ICAO: KDRO, FAA LID: DRO) is located around 12 miles southeast of Durango, Colorado. The airport is easily accessible, with convenient parking lots located near the terminal and car rental agencies, cabs, and ride-sharing services available for travel to and from the airport. The terminal building is designed to reflect the natural beauty of its surroundings, creating a welcoming and efficient space for travellers.
The terminal facilities at Durango-La Plata County Airport include three boarding gates, five plane stands, a pre-security restaurant, and a gift shop. The airport also offers free Wi-Fi internet access throughout the passenger terminal. The pre-security restaurant, Tailwind Concessions, offers a full-service restaurant and bar, while the post-security locations in the American and United departure lounges provide full-service dining and grab-and-go options.
The airport prioritises accessibility, ensuring that all passengers, including those with disabilities, can navigate the terminal comfortably. All public areas of the airport are at ground level and are served by curb cuts and ramps, including aircraft boarding ramps to assist passengers with entering and exiting the aircraft. Public restrooms are also accessible, with grab rails and wheelchair-accessible stalls.
For travellers with pets, there is a designated grassy area at the north end of the Rental Car lot for walking dogs, complete with a clean-up station. Pets must be on a leash and under the control of their owners at all times while in the terminal. The airport provides a loading/unloading area immediately in front of the terminal for added convenience.
Durango-La Plata County Airport offers a range of amenities to enhance the travel experience, including dining options, retail outlets for last-minute purchases, and free Wi-Fi to keep travellers connected. The airport's facilities and services are designed to cater to the needs of all passengers, ensuring a comfortable and efficient transit through the terminal.
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History of the airport
Durango-La Plata County Airport (IATA: DRO, ICAO: KDRO, FAA LID: DRO), also known as Durango Airport and La Plata County Airport, is located approximately 12 miles (19 km) southeast of Durango, in La Plata County, Colorado, United States. The airport is publicly owned by the city and county and is categorised as a non-hub primary commercial service facility.
La Plata County Airport opened to commercial airline service in 1946. The first scheduled airline service to the airport began on November 27, 1946, with Monarch Air Lines operating flights to Denver with stops at Monte Vista, Canon City, Pueblo, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, using Douglas DC-3 aircraft. The following year, new routes were added to Albuquerque and Salt Lake City, with Durango serving as the connecting hub for the three routes.
In the early 1950s, flights to Albuquerque and Salt Lake City were redirected through Farmington, New Mexico, which became Frontier's connecting hub for the four-corner states. In 1959, Frontier acquired 44-passenger Convair 340 aircraft, introducing nonstop flights from Durango to Denver, as well as new flights to Phoenix and Tucson with a stop in Farmington. By 1966, the Convair 340s had been upgraded to Convair 580 turboprop aircraft, and the original Douglas DC-3 aircraft were retired. Direct flights to Albuquerque resumed in 1969.
During the summer of 1977, the La Plata County Airport was temporarily closed to extend the main runway to accommodate jet traffic. In November 1977, Frontier Airlines initiated the first jet service to the airport, operating Boeing 737 flights to Denver with a stop in Pueblo, Colorado.
The airport has been the site of several notable incidents. On December 31, 1981, Sun West Airlines Flight 104, a Piper Navajo Chieftain from Albuquerque, crashed during a missed approach in poor weather, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and three of the five passengers. On January 19, 1988, a Trans-Colorado Airlines flight operating as a Continental Express feeder service from Denver to Cortez, Colorado, with a stop in Durango, crashed on approach to Durango-La Plata Airport, killing nine of the 17 passengers and crew. Less than two weeks later, on February 2, 1988, an Aspen Airways flight operating as United Express Flight 3749 from Denver drifted off a snow-packed runway during landing and crashed into a snowbank without any fatalities.
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Frequently asked questions
The airport in Durango, Colorado is called the Durango-La Plata County Airport.
Durango-La Plata County Airport is served by two major US airlines: American and United. It also has flights operated by Mesa Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines.
Durango-La Plata County Airport has three boarding gates, five plane stands, a pre-security restaurant and bar, two post-security restaurants and bars, a gift shop, free WiFi, and aircraft boarding ramps.
