UPDATE: Durango-La Plata County Airport is raising parking rates just in time for the busy Thanksgiving travel season. Starting from November 25 to December 5, 2023, daily parking fees will surge from $9 to $14 as the airport braces for a staggering 30% increase in parking demand.
This temporary price hike coincides with the airport’s busiest period of the year, prompting officials to implement surge pricing due to space constraints. Aviation Director Tony Vicari warns that without these adjustments, the airport risks running out of available parking options. He urges travelers to consider alternative transportation methods, such as carpooling or local transit, to avoid traffic congestion and increased costs.
The next permanent increase is set for January 1, 2024, when the daily parking fee will rise to $10. Additionally, aircrew members will feel the pinch as monthly parking permits increase from $50 to $55. Vicari stated that these adjustments are essential for funding ongoing airport operations and future projects, including a substantial parking expansion.
DRO has recently completed paving a gravel overflow parking lot, adding 275 new spaces this year, bringing the total to 1,304 parking spaces. However, with escalating operational costs—driven by a 40% increase in nationwide CPI since 2013—Vicari argues that raising fees is vital for maintaining and expanding infrastructure.
Local resident and aircrew member Dan Fischer expressed concerns over the sharp rise in parking costs, which have ballooned from $15 in 2013 to $600 this year for a yearly permit. Fischer noted that aircrew members do not have designated parking and must utilize general public spaces, further complicating their situation.
The airport’s future parking fee structure remains uncertain, particularly for aircrew members, as the program may not continue beyond 2026. This looming uncertainty could force aircrew to pay daily public parking rates of $10, making access to affordable parking increasingly difficult.
Vicari confirmed that 84 aircrew members currently participate in the program, and while the increased rates provide savings compared to daily public parking, they also displace available spaces for regular travelers.
“While no one likes increased costs, the airport must make financial decisions like any other business,” Vicari stated, emphasizing the need for sustainable funding strategies.
As the deadline for the temporary rate increase approaches, travelers are encouraged to plan ahead to avoid the impending surge pricing. Authorities highlight that the ongoing financial adjustments are not just necessary but crucial for the airport’s operational viability and future growth.
Stay tuned for further updates as the situation develops, and prepare for this significant change in parking rates at Durango-La Plata County Airport.