Boutique Air has had a promising beginning since it began operating as Cortez’s essential air service provider on October 1st.
The airline offers direct flights to Denver and Phoenix, with costs starting as low as $59 one way. Airport general manager Russ Machen told the city council Tuesday night that through October 26th, 557 passengers had boarded with Boutique in Cortez and he expects more than 600 by month’s end, a number that hasn’t been seen since December of 2013. He said the low prices are attracting even travelers from Durango. Machen said the increase in boardings boosts many different aspects of the airport’s revenue stream, including tax revenues and car rentals. Boutique is also purchasing much more fuel from the airport than Great Lakes, which used to fuel up in Denver.
