FNL’s SEAT (Single Engine Air Tanker) base is instrumental in fighting wild fires throughout the region, including across state lines to keep homes safe from wildfires. Operators from FNL also hydromulch (seeded) burn areas after major wildfires (like the High Park fire) this allows vegetation to contain top soil to maintain Colorado’s high water quality for human consumption and to preserve wildlife. Colorado Parks and Wildlife planes also deliver fish to remote mountain reservoirs from our Airport. This helps maintain Colorado’s trout populations like the Cutthroat trout.
Our Airport is one of the busiest and diverse airports in Colorado, supporting nearly every facet of air transportation for this region. There are four main categories of aviation at our Airport. Business, General Aviation, Commercial, and Public Service. We host commercial flights, corporate and business aircraft operations, flight training, air ambulance flights, emergency air services (such as natural disasters like wildfires, floods, or search and rescue), and military operations.
Why the Airport matters for the region…
Most citizens think airports are only needed for air travel and vacations. However, airports are critical pieces of infrastructure similar to major highways and interstates. The average citizen receives numerous indirect benefits from our Airport that many are unaware of. In addition to the significant economic impacts to the region there are many benefits that are not quantifiable, here are a few examples:
To expand on each impact item, please click the category above.
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Local hospitals receive patients from rural areas such as SE Wyoming by medivac to our Airport who are then transported to locals hospitals. Patients with life threatening emergencies are also brought to FNL by angel flight or flight for life services. Many pilots train at our Airport which is especially critical as our nation has been suffering a severe personnel shortage in aviation.
During this COVID-19 pandemic many GA (General Aviation) pilots have tirelessly and selflessly volunteered their own hours, aircraft, and money to transport critical ppe (personal protective equipment), medical supplies, and ventilators to hospitals in dire need. Without airports throughout our state, access to many of these hospitals would be near impossible.
Last, but most certainly not least, this Airport is the home of the Colorado Remote Tower Project. The first in our nation which will lay the groundwork for future Remote Towers throughout our county. The project will make air traffic control a feasible tool for many airports that otherwise would not be able to have controlled airspace which will actually create more air traffic control jobs as well. You can read more about our Colorado Remote Tower Project at www.flynoco.com/about/remote-tower.
Our robust local economy and high quality of life stem from available local services which are mainly supported by the many corporate businesses who also use our airport to do business. Most of these businesses are based on activities supported by our Airport, which creates specialized employment opportunities that earn greater than average wages. This level of activity and these jobs contribute significant impacts to the total economic output for our region.
We are also a diversion airport for Frontier, Southwest, and United Airlines when landing at Denver International Airport is not possible. Our local Universities’ athletic teams and their rivals use our Airport as well.