A consultant outlined the long-term plans for the Durango-La Plata County Airport and the millions of dollars in construction projects it could require on Tuesday in front of the Durango City Council and the La Plata County Commission.
If demand continues to grow during the next two decades, both governments could need to invest $190 million into the airport, said Dave Nafie, a planning manager with Jviation.
Some of the improvements would be triggered only by continued growth through 2035.
“If the demand doesn’t show up, don’t build it,” Nafie said.
To meet current demand, the city and the county need to invest in a new terminal that could cost $85 million in the first phase. The joint boards directed the consultant to pursue this option earlier this year.
This new building on the east side of the runway could require a property tax or sales tax increase to raise between $35 to $40 million, he said. Once the terminal is finished, it could help finance additional construction.
The terminal is part of the airport’s 20-year master plan that will likely be approved by both boards in the next 45 days.
During 2015, the airport has seen a slight decline in passengers, according to airport data. The total number of enplanements, or people who boarded a plane, is down just shy of 1 percent so far this year – from about 127,000 in 2014 to about 126,000 in 2015.
But American and U.S. Airways have started providing most of the seats that had been provided by Frontier Airlines. Frontier chose not to provide flights to Durango in 2015.
Airport Director Kip Turner touted some of the airport’s strengths and potential for growth, because about half of those who could fly out of Durango are choosing to drive to Denver or Albuquerque instead.
He asked for $60,000 in funding to help spread awareness about the cost benefits of flying from Durango.
“Usually, a regional airport makes an attempt to market itself,” he said.
Turner said he has also been aggressively pursuing new service by meeting with seven airlines since last October.
In the next three or four years, it is likely a new airline carrier could start serving Durango, but it takes time and relationship building, he said.
mshinn@durangoherald.com
