Industry News
For the first time in its history, the Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) will offer a commercial jet service. Denver Air Connection, who maintain an interline relationship with United Airlines, will launch daily flights on the 30-seat Dornier 328JET from Denver (DEN) to TEX on May 15, 2019. The flights will operate year-round with the exception of two short seasonal breaks in spring and fall.
Denver Air Connection’s relationship with United enables travelers to book and connect through the global United network to the TEX airport. The Dornier 328JET offers a comfortable 30-seat configuration with full in-flight services. Flight time from DEN-TEX will be just 40 minutes in the air, and the schedule will be optimized for connections through Denver.
“Through the combined efforts of all the involved parties, we are thrilled to announce this milestone in air service for the Telluride region,” said Colorado Flights COO Matt Skinner. “Jet service for the Telluride airport, located just 10 minutes from downtown and the slopes, will provide both our residents and visitors fast, comfortable flights from Denver and United’s worldwide connections beyond.”
The Telluride destination, known as the festival capital of Colorado in the summer months and ranked five of the last six years as the #1 ski resort in North American by Conde Nast, is served by two airports — TEX, now offering commercial options on Denver Air Connection and Boutique Air with their United relationships, and the Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ), offering nonstop flights to 11 hubs nationwide on four major carriers. TEX has a long history of commercial turboprop service, and the Denver Air flights will be the first operated on a jet.
“Jet service from DEN to TEX greatly improves accessibility and convenience,” said Telluride Mayor Sean Murphy. “It is a game-changer that enhances Telluride’s global profile.”
Mountain Village Mayor Laila Benitez added:
“The expansion of commercial jet service into Telluride Regional Airport is a tremendous benefit for our community and visitors. The continued growth in air capacity and flight options is a significant driver for our local economy. We thank the Colorado Flights Alliance team for making jet service to TEX both an ongoing priority and a reality.”
Technically modern turboprops are jet engines.
I remember flying into the Telluride airport on a Mesa Airlines jet in the mid 1980.s.
This was not Montrose but Telluride.. We flew out a week later on a United Express flight but that was a prop not a jet..