News Flash

City of Durango News Flash

Posted on: November 6, 2023

Second A319 coming to Durango-La Plata County Airport; largest aircraft currently servicing DRO

Durango, CO: United Airlines in January will begin operating a second daily Airbus A319 flight between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Durango La-Plata County Airport (DRO), expanding utilization of the largest commercial aircraft currently servicing DRO.

United initiated use of the 126-seat Airbus A319 in the Durango market in March 2023, and have been flying the aircraft once daily for the past eight months. Beginning January 9, 2024, United will increase flight frequency of the A319 to two daily, supplementing United’s multiple daily flights on regional jet aircraft. United operates five daily flights year-round from DRO to DEN.

“United’s decision to expand mainline Airbus A319 service between the Durango-La Plata County Airport and Denver highlights the strength of our market and the continuing demand for air service in Southwest Colorado,” Aviation Direction Tony Vicari said. “This move will provide United’s passengers with additional options and seat capacity beginning this winter.”

United carried approximately 179,000 passengers at DRO in 2022, a figure that was up 4% from 2021. United was the market-share leader at DRO in 2022, carrying 49% of all passengers arriving and departing from Durango.

Vicari said United Airlines has been a committed airline partner at DRO for many years, and the airline continues to grow in the Durango market. “This latest news comes as construction on the first phase of the terminal development program at DRO swiftly moves towards completion in 2024. Larger aircraft result in higher numbers of passengers using airport facilities at one time, and we feel confident that our terminal development plans will allow our airline partners to effectively evolve in the market while also meeting the demands of travelers.”

United flights through Denver are available for booking at united.com.

Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO) is the primary regional airport for Southwest Colorado, Northwest New Mexico, and the entire Four Corners region. DRO welcomed 367,000 total passengers in 2022 and contributes over $290 million annually to the regional economy. DRO is served by two major U.S. airlines (American and United), offering year-round daily nonstop routes to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN), and Phoenix (PHX), and seasonally to Houston (IAH).

DRO operates as an enterprise fund of the City of Durango and generates self-sustaining revenue from airport tenants and users in the form of airline rent and landing fees, terminal concessions, ground leases, and parking fees. The airport does not receive any local tax funding.

Learn more about the Durango-La Plata County Airport at FlyDurango.com. Follow us on social media at twitter.com/DROAirport and facebook.com/DROAirport

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Do you have a comment, question or suggestion regarding this topic or others? ------------> Check out our "Connect and Engage" webpage and let us know!
Want to receive releases like this on city news? ------------------------------------------------------> Sign up at Notify Me and select "City of Durango News Flash."