ALAMOSA — At the Jan. 12 meeting of the San Luis Valley Regional Airport Advisory Board, Airport Manager Will Hickman said the Alamosa County-owned airport had a deficit of $1.2 million for the 2023 fiscal year.

In an email to the Courier, Hickman later clarified the airport had depreciation of $754,000, reducing the shortfall to $457,127.

Alamosa County Administrator Roni Wisdom told the Valley Courier the county had received fiscal "cushion" from the federal government during the pandemic through American Rescue funds to be allocated over four years. The airport now has a fund balance of $1.238 million. This balance will cover the $457,127 shortfall, according to Wisdom.

The airport will increase revenue by charging more for landing fees, leases, passenger charges, and concessions, added Wisdom.

As a commercial airport, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certain requirements, including a Snow Removal Equipment/Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) building and snow removal brooms. These will cost approximately $3.8 million. According to Wisdom, 95% of this is covered by federal and state funds, and the county is researching grant opportunities for the balance. As mandated by the FAA, the airport has seven staff, all of whom meet ARFF training requirements.

Last year the airport reported 8,111 commercial passengers used the airport, a statistic that does not include general aviation passengers.

After the departure of Sky West Airlines in 2022, the FAA awarded a new carrier, Denver Air Connection, a subsidy under the Essential Air Service program of $5.2 million to provide service between the airport and Denver. 

"The federal funding that we received has given us time and funds to grow the airport to make this a first-class airport for the San Luis Valley," Wisdom said.

San Luis Valley Regional Airport 2023 Budget:

• Revenue — $4,236,719
• Expenditures — $5,447,846
• Budget Deficit — $1,211,127
• Depreciation — $754,000 (non-cash item)
• Cash Shortfall — $457,127 from fund balance

Alamosa County projects the 2023 county (including the airport) revenue to be $14,693,862 and expenditures of $14,235,213 with a projected surplus of $458,649.