Roberta Aguirre
Fort Collins has had several airports over the years, including the Fort Collins Downtown Airport, which was located 2 nautical miles east of the city's central business district. This airport, which opened in 1966, ceased operations on November 1, 2006. Another airport, the Northern Colorado Regional Airport (formerly known as the Fort Collins–Loveland Municipal Airport), is located 9 nautical miles southeast of Fort Collins and opened in 1964. This airport has experienced several incidents, including a mid-air collision in 1981 that killed 15 people and a crash during a Civil Air Patrol mission in 2024, resulting in two fatalities. The airport has also been utilised as a test site for remote air traffic control towers and has seen various airlines come and go, with United Airlines currently offering wingless flight options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Northern Colorado Regional Airport (formerly Fort Collins–Loveland Municipal Airport) |
| Airport Code | FNL |
| Location | 9-10 miles southeast of Fort Collins, Colorado |
| Ownership | Jointly owned and operated by Loveland and Fort Collins |
| History | Opened in 1964; renamed in 2016 |
| Airlines | Avelo Airlines, Elite Airways, United Airlines |
| Incidents | Mid-air collision in 1981, crash during a search and rescue mission in 2024, belly landing in 2025 |
| Test Facility | Used as a test site for a remote air traffic control tower in 2015 |
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What You'll Learn
Fort Collins–Loveland Municipal Airport renamed
The Fort Collins–Loveland Municipal Airport was renamed Northern Colorado Regional Airport. The airport is located nine nautical miles southeast of the central business district of Fort Collins and northeast of Loveland, in Larimer County, Colorado. The name change took place at a regular Commission meeting on April 27, 2016, by the Northern Colorado Regional Airport Commission. The new name was chosen to better reflect the area served by the airport.
The airport, which opened in 1964, is jointly owned and operated by the two cities of Loveland and Fort Collins. It primarily serves the Fort Collins–Loveland Metropolitan area, which has a population of approximately 300,000. The airport is known for serving tourist areas such as the Rocky Mountain National Park, located directly west of the airport.
The history of the airport dates back to the early planning stages, when the Loveland government sought a new location east of the city. Around the same time, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented policies that provided federal funding for airport construction. Fort Collins, in need of a new airport due to the hazards of its existing airport, Christman Field, proposed a joint airport with Loveland. A site north of Loveland, a 1100-acre wheat field, was selected, and the FAA approved the site for federal aid.
Over the years, the airport has undergone several name changes. It initially opened as Valley Airport in 1966, then became Fort Collins Airpark before being renamed Downtown Fort Collins Airport in 1977. The airport closed in 2006, and the current Northern Colorado Regional Airport (formerly Fort Collins–Loveland Municipal Airport) continues to serve the region.
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FNL used as a test facility for remote air traffic control
Northern Colorado Regional Airport (IATA: FNL, ICAO: KFNL, FAA LID: FNL), formerly known as the Fort Collins–Loveland Municipal Airport, is a public airport located nine nautical miles southeast of Fort Collins, Colorado. On October 2, 2015, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that the airport would be used as a test facility for a remote air traffic control tower.
The remote air traffic control tower uses sensors and cameras that are operated remotely. The cost for this test phase was quoted at US$5,900,000, paid for by the Colorado Aviation Fund, and unanimously passed by the board of the Colorado Division of Aeronautics. The project is a collaboration between the FAA, Northern Colorado Regional Airport, and the Colorado Department of Transportation's Division of Aeronautics, which provided the funding.
The Remote Tower System Project is one of the first in the world to integrate both video and track-based surveillance (radar) to provide a comprehensive view of the airport surface and Class D airspace to air traffic controllers working in a remote facility. The track-based surveillance enables controllers to be aware of aircraft close to the airport, and integration with radar data ensures that flight data labels correlate with the aircraft on the video display. The typical “out the window” view from a control tower is replicated by an array of cameras that provide a 360° view of the maneuvering area and airspace close to the airport.
FNL was chosen as the test facility for this technology based on several factors, including the availability of commercial air service, traffic volume, and the wide mix of aircraft types operating at FNL. The airport has evolved from a small general aviation facility into a commercially-certified airport capable of supporting various aircraft, from single-seat recreational planes to 200-passenger airliners. The area the airport serves has more than doubled in population since 1990, creating a need for an Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower solution to accommodate growing demands.
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Two fatal crashes in 2024 and 2025
Northern Colorado Regional Airport (IATA: FNL), formerly known as the Fort Collins–Loveland Municipal Airport, has been the site of two fatal crashes, in 2024 and 2025.
On November 23, 2024, a Civil Air Patrol aircraft on a routine search and rescue and aerial photography practice mission departing from FNL crashed on Storm Mountain, due west of the airport. Both the pilot and aerial photographer were killed in the crash, while the co-pilot survived with serious injuries.
On April 19, 2025, a Mooney M20 aircraft made an emergency belly landing on runway 15 at FNL. It is not known whether there were any injuries or fatalities as a result of this landing.
FNL is a public-use airport located nine nautical miles southeast of Fort Collins, Colorado. The airport opened in 1964 and was known as the Fort Collins–Loveland Municipal Airport until 2016, when it was renamed to better reflect the area served. The airport is jointly owned and operated by the cities of Loveland and Fort Collins.
A separate airport, Fort Collins Downtown Airport, was located two nautical miles east of Fort Collins. This airport closed on November 1, 2006.
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Airport construction history
The Northern Colorado Regional Airport (IATA: FNL), formerly known as the Fort Collins–Loveland Municipal Airport, is a public airport located southeast of Fort Collins, Colorado, and northeast of Loveland. The airport opened in 1964 under a joint agreement between Loveland and Fort Collins, with both cities owning and operating the airport. The construction of the airport was prompted by a significant increase in Colorado State University's (CSU) enrollment due to the civil rights movement, as well as the need for a safer alternative to the existing Christman Field airport, which was located in a hazardous area against the foothills with dangerous wind conditions.
Before the construction of FNL, Fort Collins had air service provided by small commuter airlines such as Air US and Air Link, which operated shuttle flights to Denver from an old airfield east of the city from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s. There was a gap in service from 1982 to 1990, after which Continental Express and United Express provided service to FNL on behalf of their respective airlines until 1997.
The site for the Fort Collins-Loveland Airport was chosen after Loveland sought a new location east of the town, and Fort Collins officials proposed a joint airport with Loveland on a larger property north of the Loveland site. A 1,100-acre wheat field was selected, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was involved in the planning process, providing Federal aid with strict rules and policies regarding location, future expansion, and airline operations. The FAA considered factors such as clear and safe approaches to the airport.
The airport has undergone several name changes throughout its history. It was originally known as Valley Airport when it opened in 1966, then renamed Fort Collins Airpark in 1976, and finally, Downtown Fort Collins Airport in 1977. The name was officially changed to the Northern Colorado Regional Airport in 2016 to better reflect the area served by the airport.
The airport has also been utilized for various projects and trials, such as the Remote Tower Project in 2018, and it served as a test facility for a remote air traffic control tower in 2015, utilizing sensors and cameras operated remotely.
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FNL's proximity to tourist attractions
Northern Colorado Regional Airport (IATA: FNL, ICAO: KFNL, FAA LID: FNL), formerly known as the Fort Collins–Loveland Municipal Airport, is conveniently located adjacent to I-25 and US Hwy 34. It is just 50 miles north of Denver and a short distance from the award-winning historic downtown areas of Loveland and Fort Collins. These vibrant towns offer a plethora of attractions for tourists, including live music, delectable restaurants, and a variety of shops ranging from tourist souvenirs to confectionery. The Fort Collins–Loveland area is renowned for its thriving craft beer industry, vibrant arts and entertainment scene, and diverse outdoor activities. With 300 days of sunshine, snow-capped mountains, picturesque lakes, and clear-running rivers, the region offers captivating scenery all year round.
FNL is the closest airport to Estes Park, which serves as the base camp for the breathtaking Rocky Mountain National Park. This nationally acclaimed park is home to an abundance of wildlife and miles of trails, offering a unique experience for nature enthusiasts. The airport's proximity to these renowned tourist destinations makes it a convenient gateway for visitors seeking to explore the natural wonders of Colorado.
In addition to its proximity to natural attractions, FNL is conveniently located for those seeking outdoor activities and winter sports. Drive times from the airport to popular ski resorts such as Vail, Copper Mountain, Winter Park, and Eldora Mountain are comparable, if not faster, than those from other airports. This makes FNL an ideal starting point for skiers and snowboarders looking to make the most of their time on the slopes.
The history of FNL is intertwined with the growth of the region. The airport opened in 1964 through a joint agreement between Loveland and Fort Collins. This collaboration was driven by the need for a safer and more adequate airport, as the existing Christman Field airport was considered hazardous due to its location against the foothills, where wind conditions could pose risks. The construction of FNL was also influenced by the significant increase in enrollment at Colorado State University during the civil rights movement, highlighting the airport's role in supporting the region's development.
Over the years, FNL has undergone several name changes and expansions. Initially known as Fort Collins–Loveland Municipal Airport, it was later renamed Northern Colorado Regional Airport in 2016 to better reflect the area it serves. The airport has played a crucial role in promoting the region's tourism and economic growth, with various airlines offering services to and from FNL. Avelo Airlines, for example, launched services to Burbank, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada, in October 2021, showcasing the airport's growing connectivity.
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Frequently asked questions
Northern Colorado Regional Airport (IATA: FNL, ICAO: KFNL, FAA LID: FNL). The airport was formerly known as the Fort Collins–Loveland Municipal Airport.
The name change was officialized by the Northern Colorado Regional Airport Commission at their regular Commission meeting on April 27, 2016.
The new name better reflects the area served by the airport.
The Fort Collins Downtown Airport closed on November 1, 2006.
