When Denver International Airport was new and controversial, a few disgruntled Front Range travelers would drive south to Colorado Springs to begin their flights. It was more a peevish protest than a practical alternative.
The competition between the two airports never became as serious as DIA’s detractors might have hoped. DIA has many times the capacity of the shared military- civilian airport in the Springs, and now many travelers drive from the Springs to Denver.
But some of the old competitive fire was rekindled when Frontier Airlines went looking for a place to locate its new heavy-maintenance facility. Denver, Frontier’s hub and headquarters, might have been the favorite. But Colorado Springs, with its more attractive incentive package, won the bid. The Springs also got a bonus — new service from Frontier, the low-cost carrier that Colorado Springs had been hoping for.
This is not bad news for Denver; it’s good news for the state — and, of course, especially good news for Colorado Springs.
Denver business interests would have liked to keep the maintenance facility. One described it as “a jewel.” But at least it stays in the state.
There’s plenty of economic benefit to go around. Denver shouldn’t expect to have it all.
