June numbers are in and the Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO) experienced its busiest June of all time.
Recently announced seasonal nonstop Saturday service to and from Chicago and Houston and continued seasonal nonstop Saturday service to and from Los Angeles helped boost June’s passenger traffic by a significant 8.1 percent vs 2018, according to the airport’s monthly airline activity report. A total of 37,743 passengers departed or arrived during the month.
“We anticipated an increase in passenger traffic, but these record numbers are above expectations,” says DRO Director of Aviation Tony Vicari. “We’ll be monitoring our 2019 traffic numbers through the peak summer travel season, but right now, we’re on target to exceed last year’s 1.8 percent passenger-traffic growth trend.”
Year-to-date passenger traffic is up 2.6 percent.
Last month, nonstop flights began operation for the first time between DRO and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and between DRO and Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Saturday nonstop service to Los Angeles International Airport is now in its fourth year. Airport officials will continue to track the trajectory of these routes in anticipation of engaging airline network planners in discussions about potentially extending this service to daily and throughout the year.
While passengers are enjoying the new flights, construction activity at the airport continues this summer. DRO recently secured $6.8 million in federal funding, which will go toward reconstruction of a portion of its 9,200-foot taxiway. And, in March, the airport broke ground on a terminal improvement project centered on renovating and expanding airline offices, baggage-claim facilities and TSA baggage screening operations.
“We’re experiencing steady and encouraging growth,” says Vicari. “Passengers are not only taking advantage of the time-saving benefits of flying to and from DRO, but also, they are experiencing the ease and convenience of our manageable facilities.”
