Best Airports For Easy Access To Colorado Springs

which nearest airport to colorado springs

The closest airport to Colorado Springs is the aptly named Colorado Springs Airport (COS), which is around 6-7 miles from the city centre. The airport has been in operation since 1927 and is the second busiest commercial service airport in the state, offering daily nonstop flights and hundreds of connections worldwide. Colorado Springs Airport is also easily accessible by road, with four-lane access from exit 135 of Interstate 25.

Characteristics Values
Name Colorado Springs Airport
IATA Code COS
ICAO Code KCOS
FAA LID COS
Distance from downtown Colorado Springs 6 miles (9.7 km) or 12 miles
Number of terminals 1
Number of concourses 2
Number of gates 12
Number of runways 3
Length of runways 13,500 ft (4,115 m), 11,022 ft (3,360 m) and 8,270 ft (2,521 m)
Width of runways 150 ft (46 m)
Area 7,200 acres (29 km2)

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Colorado Springs Airport

The Colorado Springs Airport (IATA: COS, ICAO: KCOS, FAA LID: COS) is a city-owned public civil-military airport located about 6 miles (9.7 km) 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 is easily accessible by Milton E. Proby Parkway via Powers Boulevard/SH 21. The terminal is easy to navigate and offers a quicker airport experience. It offers free WiFi, Airport Ambassadors, PAWS for COS therapy dogs, a variety of concessions, and a premier lounge. The airport covers 7,200 acres (29 km2) and has three paved runways.

The airport first opened in 1927 on 640 acres (260 ha) 7 miles (11 km) east of the city, with two gravel runways. Initially, several small airlines operated a mail route from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Pueblo, Colorado, with stops at Denver and Colorado Springs. These airlines only occasionally carried passengers. In 1937, Continental Airlines began service between Denver and El Paso, Texas, with stops at Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Las Vegas, New Mexico, Santa Fe, and Albuquerque. The first municipal terminal was built in 1942 in an art deco style. However, shortly after it was constructed, the military took over the field in the months leading up to World War II. After the war, the city regained control of the airport.

In 1966, a new terminal was constructed on the west side of the runways, just east of Powers Boulevard. This terminal underwent an expansion in the 1980s, with the addition of six gates. By 1991, the airport boasted three 150-foot (46 m) wide runways, including one that was 13,501 feet (4,115 m) long, making it the longest runway in Colorado at the time. In the same year, the city approved the construction of a new terminal, located two miles east of the previous one, in the south-central part of the airport. The airport has continuously endeavoured to expand its services from the 1980s to the present. The highest number of passengers recorded was nearly 5 million in 1996 when Western Pacific Airlines had a hub at COS.

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Pueblo Memorial Airport

The Pueblo Memorial Airport (IATA: PUB, ICAO: KPUB, FAA LID: PUB) is a public municipal airport located about 6 miles east of Pueblo, in Pueblo County, Colorado, United States. It is 41.7 to 48 miles from Colorado Springs, making it one of the nearest airports to the city. The airport covers an area of 3,872 acres at an elevation of 4,729 feet.

The airport was initially a hub for commercial airline traffic from the late 1920s through the 1970s. The first carrier to serve Pueblo was Colorado Airways, which operated a north-south route from Cheyenne, Wyoming, to Pueblo, with stops in Denver and Colorado Springs from 1926 to 1927. Western Air Express (WAE) acquired the route in 1927, and in 1929, the route was extended southward to El Paso, Texas, with stops in Trinidad, Las Vegas (New Mexico), Santa Fe, and Albuquerque. WAE also operated a route from Pueblo to Amarillo, Texas, from 1929 to 1934. In 1943, Braniff Airways began service on a route from Denver to Brownsville, Texas, with stops in several cities, including Pueblo and Colorado Springs.

Today, the airport is home to the United States Air Force's Initial Flight Training (IFT) program, with Doss Aviation conducting flight training for between 1,300 and 1,700 USAF officer student pilots and student combat system officer trainees annually. The airport also continues to serve commercial airline operations, with a mix of general aviation, air taxi, and military aircraft. In 2011, the airport had 182,119 aircraft operations, averaging 498 per day. In 2022, extensive USAF student training was taking place in the vicinity of the airport.

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Denver International Airport

The closest airport to Colorado Springs is Colorado Springs Airport (IATA: COS, ICAO: KCOS, FAA LID: COS), which is 6 to 12 miles from the city centre. However, if you're looking for a larger airport, Denver International Airport (DEN / KDEN) is a major airport that serves the area and is 71 to 86 miles from Colorado Springs.

The airport offers a range of dining and shopping options, including restaurants, cafes, and gift shops. There are also various services and facilities available, such as ATMs, currency exchange offices, and a lost and found. Additionally, the airport provides access for passengers with disabilities and offers assistance for passengers who need help with mobility or other special needs.

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Aspen-Pitkin County Airport

The Colorado Springs Airport is the nearest airport to Colorado Springs, located about 7 to 12 miles from the city centre. However, if you're looking for information about the Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, also known as Aspen Airport (ASE), it is a regional airport located about 160 miles from Colorado Springs. While not the closest airport to Colorado Springs, Aspen-Pitkin County Airport serves the local area and offers quick and convenient access to ground transportation, car rentals, and parking.

For example, the RFTA bus service offers free rides to Aspen and Snowmass Village, providing easy access to nearby destinations. Additionally, the airport offers car rental services, parking facilities, and taxi or limo arrangements for those who prefer private transportation. These options ensure that travellers can conveniently reach their desired locations in and around Pitkin County.

The airport also caters to pilots and aviation professionals with its local airports and services. Aspen-Pitkin County Airport is a valuable transportation hub for those visiting or residing in the region, offering a balance of convenience, efficiency, and a commitment to the well-being of the community and its environment. Its range of transportation options ensures that travellers can seamlessly continue their journeys after arriving at the airport.

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Air Force Academy Airfield

The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) is located just north of Colorado Springs, at the base of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. It is one of the country's five military service academies and the youngest, having graduated its first class in 1959. The academy's campus covers 18,455 acres (some sources state 18,500 acres) and is known for its stunning mid-century modern architecture. It educates around 4,000 cadets, who are training to become officers in the United States Air Force and Space Force. The academy is also a popular tourist attraction, with around a million visitors each year.

The Air Force Academy was established in 1954 when Congress passed legislation to begin its construction. President Eisenhower signed it into law on 1 April of that year. An advisory commission was set up to determine the site, with 582 locations considered. The final three options were Alton, Illinois; Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; and Colorado Springs, Colorado, with the latter being chosen as the winning site in June 1954.

The academy's distinctive cadet parade uniform was designed by Hollywood film director Cecil B. DeMille. The Cadet Area, which includes the iconic chapel and other buildings in a modernist style, was designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) and lead architect Walter Netsch. The Cadet Area was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2004, fifty years after Congress authorized the building of the academy.

The Air Force Academy Airfield, located 12 miles from Colorado Springs, is a convenient option for those travelling to and from the area by plane. It is a small, local airport, and for major flights, Colorado Springs Airport (12 miles from the city centre) or Pueblo Memorial Airport (41-48 miles away) are better options.

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Frequently asked questions

The nearest airport to Colorado Springs is Colorado Springs Airport (COS), which is 6-7 miles from the city centre.

The second nearest airport to Colorado Springs is Pueblo Memorial Airport (PUB), which is 41.7-48 miles away.

Colorado Springs Airport is a small airport with a quick airport experience, free WiFi, therapy dogs, concessions, and a premier lounge.

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