FMN plans on lengthening runways to allow regional jet service.
For many years, FMN has been New Mexico's #2 airport in terms of traffic, however, in recent years it has fallen behind SAF and ROW (and possibly now even HOB with United Express/ExpressJet service), both of which now feature regional jet service from American Eagle.
If anyone wants to serve FMN with regional jets, I'd predict the most likely candidate would be Delta/SkyWest to SLC. US Airways Express, American Eagle, Frontier/Republic, and United Express/SkyWest already serve DRO, so DL/OO could perhaps give FMN a try if the runway extension project gets approved.
[Edited 2012-01-24 15:12:20]
The Pink Delta 767-400ER - The most beautiful aircraft in the sky
durangomac From United States of America, joined Dec 2006, 586 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 826 times:
My guees would be that DL/OO would only look at FMN if there was a subsidy because they gave DRO a try several years ago and only lasted 2 years before pulling out. Maybe US will want to start somehting back up but it might take away from their operation at DRO since it's only an hour drive.
1337Delta764 From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 5785 posts, RR: 2 Reply 2, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 8 hours ago) and read 797 times:
Quoting durangomac (Reply 1): My guees would be that DL/OO would only look at FMN if there was a subsidy because they gave DRO a try several years ago and only lasted 2 years before pulling out. Maybe US will want to start somehting back up but it might take away from their operation at DRO since it's only an hour drive.
Of course, in DRO there are several other carriers, and at FMN there would be less competition. I am pretty sure some people in Farmingon would like a closer airport to fly out of. Look how well American Eagle's SAF flights are doing, when ABQ isn't too far away (ABQ is a much larger and busier airport than DRO, and is dominated by the Southwest Effect). I don't think it would be much cheaper (if at all) to fly out of DRO instead of FMN if DL gave FMN a try.
The Pink Delta 767-400ER - The most beautiful aircraft in the sky
travatl From United States of America, joined Mar 2001, 2172 posts, RR: 11 Reply 3, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 736 times:
In the late 70s, early 80s it was recommended that a new "regional airport" be constructed at or near Crouch Mesa to serve as the true regional airport for the area (during a time of growth - even the original Frontier was flying 737s into FMN at that point). It was rejected, and DRO improved their facilities. Now, nearly 40 years later, FMN is paying the price.
I started my aviation career at FMN, working for YV there in the early 1990s. At some point we had about 30 flights day to a mix of destinations using BE1s, EM2s, and DH8s. Unfortunately, YV ran every other airline out of town, and then eventually closed up shop themselves. It's sad when I travel back now to visit family and see the ghost town of an airport that used to be a pretty bustling place (I realize this is pretty common for small towns across the nations these days).
Unless DRO can be persuaded to get involved in a joint project, I fear it is likely too little too late for commercial aviation in the area.
SurfandSnow From United States of America, joined Jan 2009, 2588 posts, RR: 31 Reply 4, posted (1 year 4 months 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 679 times:
Quoting 1337Delta764 (Reply 2): Of course, in DRO there are several other carriers, and at FMN there would be less competition. I am pretty sure some people in Farmingon would like a closer airport to fly out of. Look how well American Eagle's SAF flights are doing, when ABQ isn't too far away (ABQ is a much larger and busier airport than DRO, and is dominated by the Southwest Effect). I don't think it would be much cheaper (if at all) to fly out of DRO instead of FMN if DL gave FMN a try.
Santa Fe is very well-known nationally and has broad tourist appeal. So much so that WN advertises ABQ as an alternate to Santa Fe. It also happens to have a wealthy, albeit small, local market. You also have a bit of gov't traffic that appreciates the convenience as well.
Farmington, on the other hand, won't be a familiar name to anybody. DRO serves a well-known ski resort, so it benefits in a similar fashion to Santa Fe.
Flying in the middle seat of coach is much better than not flying at all!
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 5785 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
