But that is not likely to happen soon. So the best thing Durango and La Plata County can do is to improve airport facilities to “lure” more airlines into our market. If, for example, Southwest were to offer several flights a day from Durango to Albuquerque to connect with the entire Southwest network, the lower Southwest fares would force American and United to lower theirs (and perhaps even improve service). That is how competition works.

To get more competition among airlines serving Durango, airport capacity for planes and passengers will have to be increased. As far as number of flights per day goes, our airport is at capacity (or close to it) in terms of runways and plane parking. And passengers waiting for an American flight have to wait in a tent! It is a very nice tent, but is not the sort of thing to persuade other airlines to serve Durango.

So unless and until the federal government re-regulates the airlines (don’t hold your breath) the only way to get cheaper and better airline service to Durango is to lure in more competition. And a new or expanded airport will be necessary if this is to happen.

Richard H. Ruth

Durango