The Castle Rock family was traveling Saturday from the Springs to Guatemala to visit their son Joshua, who recently finished his mission work for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was the first time they used the Colorado Springs Airport.
"We could have booked the same flight through Houston from Denver, but it was at least $100 per person cheaper to fly from Colorado Springs," Scott Kumpf said. "It is convenient and about the same distance to either airport. It is quiet and the parking lot shuttle bus was right there to pick us up."
Connie Kumpf also mentioned the added bonus of free parking - the Springs airport has eliminated all charges for short- and long-term parking during November and December - but the couple said fares were the deciding factor in choosing to fly from Colorado Springs.
Several passengers interviewed early Saturday cited convenience and comparable fares as the primary reason for flying from the Springs rather than driving to Denver International Airport to catch a flight. None of the 27 people in nine families interviewed cited parking as the most important factor in deciding to fly from the Springs, and many were not aware that parking was free until they arrived at the airport.
Steven and Nicole Brewer of Colorado Springs chose to travel from the Springs because they were flying for the first time with their two small children and wanted to get to the airport and into the terminal quickly rather than drive for more than an hour to Denver. Parking wasn't an issue for the family since a friend dropped them off at the terminal.
"I usually go straight to Denver rather than catching the short flight" from the Springs to Denver, Steven Brewer said. "It normally costs us more to drive to Denver, but the savings of flying from Colorado Springs is not worth the risk (of a delay) in the short connection to Denver."
Glenn and Karen Olsen of Colorado Springs were flying to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., through Houston for a Carribean cruise and chose to fly from the local airport for covenience, Karen Olsen said. The couple booked their flight before the free parking promotion was announced.
Jane and Grace Ridings of Colorado Springs were headed to New York through Denver and chose the local airport primarily for convenience.
"We got flights (from Colorado Springs) at competitive fares and we prefer to use this airport because it is so convenient. You can get parked, checked in and through security in minutes. The free parking didn't play a role in the decision to fly from here, but it is a very nice perk," Jane Ridings said.
Kenneth and Gabbi Moore and their two sons, all from Colorado Springs, were flying through Houston to a family vacation in Charleston, S.C. Parking wasn't an issue for the family since they were dropped off by a friend.
"The fares (between the two airports) were competitive and once you factor in driving to DIA and paying the cost of long-term parking," the couple decided to fly from the Springs, Gabbi Moore said.
Pavielle Wright of Colorado Springs always flies from the local airport, but usually while she is working as a flight attendant for SkyWest Airlines as part of a flight crew based at the airport. She was traveling Saturday to Los Angeles to celebrate her birthday with family.
"It's a small, quick airport and very comfortable. I love flying in and out of here," she said.
- Source: http://gazette.com
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