Durango, CO: United Airlines in March will begin flying an Airbus A319 between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Durango La-Plata County Airport (DRO), which will be the largest commercial aircraft currently servicing DRO.
United will begin using the Airbus A319 on Sunday, March 26. The aircraft will fly once a day and supplement United’s multiple daily flights on regional jet aircraft. The Airbus A319 seats up to 126 passengers. United operates five daily flights year-round from DRO to DEN.
“United’s decision to utilize the Airbus A319 for 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 will provide United’s passengers with additional options and seat capacity beginning this spring.”
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.
“We are proud to be the only airline providing service from Durango to Denver,” said Matt Miller, United’s vice president for Airport Operations at Denver International Airport. “As Colorado’s most prominent airline, this vital link gives Southwest Coloradans access to more than 150 one-stop destinations through Denver. Overall, United provides year-round service to nine airports in Colorado, the most of any airline in our state.”
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 we prepare to launch the first phase of a terminal development program at DRO intended to position the airport to efficiently manage past and future growth. 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.
About Durango-La Plata County Airport
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 397,000 total passengers in 2021 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).
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
###
_____________________________________________________________
Media Contact
Tony Vicari
Aviation Director, Durango La Plata County Airport
Phone: (970) 382-6052
Email: Tony.Vicari@durangogov.org
###
