Cheyenne Regional Airport

Cheyenne Regional Airport is a public airport located in the capital city of Wyoming, serving the Cheyenne metropolitan area and southeastern region of the state. Owned by the Cheyenne Regional Airport Board, it functions as a key transportation hub for both commercial and general aviation. The airport features a single passenger terminal and two runways, supporting operations by major carriers like United Airlines and Denver Air Connection. Its history is deeply intertwined with the development of aviation in the American West, including significant military use during World War II.

History

The airport's origins date to the early 20th century, with the land originally part of the Francis E. Warren Air Force Base complex, a major installation for the United States Army. During the 1920s, it became a stop for early airmail routes operated by carriers like Boeing Air Transport, a predecessor of United Airlines. Its strategic importance grew substantially during World War II, when the United States Army Air Forces used the facility extensively for training, particularly for pilots of the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator bombers under the Western Flying Training Command. Following the war, control was transferred to the city of Cheyenne, Wyoming, and it was developed as a joint civil-military airport adjacent to Francis E. Warren Air Force Base. The airport has since undergone several modernization projects, including terminal upgrades and runway improvements, to accommodate growing regional demand.

Facilities

The airport resides on over 1,600 acres of land at an elevation of 6,159 feet above mean sea level. It features two asphalt runways: the primary Runway 9/27, measuring 9,276 by 150 feet, and a secondary crosswind Runway 17/35, measuring 6,426 by 100 feet. The passenger terminal, constructed in the 1960s and renovated in the 2000s, contains two gates and offers amenities such as rental car services from companies like Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The airport is also a significant base for general aviation and is home to fixed-base operators like Cheyenne Aviation, providing fueling and maintenance services. Other facilities include a Federal Aviation Administration control tower and extensive corporate hangars supporting local businesses and the Wyoming Air National Guard.

Airlines and destinations

As of recent schedules, the airport is served by two commercial airlines providing scheduled passenger service. United Airlines, operating via its regional partner SkyWest Airlines, offers multiple daily flights to its hub at Denver International Airport using CRJ200 regional jets. Additionally, Denver Air Connection provides service to Denver International Airport and seasonal flights to destinations like Gillette, Wyoming, utilizing Dornier 328 turboprop aircraft. The airport also handles significant cargo operations and charter flights, with services occasionally operated by carriers such as Key Lime Air. These connections provide essential air links for the state government in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the University of Wyoming, and industries across the Rocky Mountains.

Statistics

In recent years, the airport has typically enplaned over 30,000 passengers annually, making it one of the busier airports in Wyoming. Cargo operations are also substantial, with hundreds of tons of freight processed yearly. The top domestic destination from the airport is consistently Denver International Airport, which serves as a primary connecting point for travelers. Aircraft operations average over 50,000 per year, with the majority being general aviation, followed by air taxi, military, and commercial traffic. The airport is classified as a non-hub primary commercial service facility by the Federal Aviation Administration and plays a vital role in the economic infrastructure of Laramie County, Wyoming.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has experienced several notable aviation accidents throughout its history. In 1943, a United States Army Air Forces B-24 Liberator crashed during a training flight near the airport, resulting in fatalities. A significant accident occurred in 1973, when a Rockwell Commander 112 crashed on approach during poor weather conditions. In 1991, a Beechcraft King Air operated by a corporate flight crashed shortly after takeoff due to icing, claiming multiple lives. More recently, in 2008, a Piper PA-46 Malibu crashed in a field while attempting to land during a snowstorm, resulting in fatalities. These incidents are investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board, with findings often influencing local aviation safety protocols.

Category:Airports in Wyoming Category:Transportation in Laramie County, Wyoming Category:Buildings and structures in Cheyenne, Wyoming