Farmington Begins Airport Improvements

Friday, October 18, 2019 at 4:36 PM

Friday, October 18, 2019

From the City of Farmington:

The transformation has begun at the Four Corners Regional Airport. Crews started construction September 30 to upgrade the runway to meet federal guidelines for commercial air service. Currently the runway is coded as BII; it will be upgraded to a CII, which consists of extending safety areas on either end of the runway. Funding for the upgrade comes from a $3.45 million Federal Aviation Administration grant for construction and rehabilitation. In addition to the extension, the airfield will be repainted and will receive fog sealing to extend the life of the runway. Farmington City Manager Rob Mayes said, “These runway enhancements will bring the Farmington-Four Corners Airport back into regional relevance by facilitating the return of scheduled jet airline service. The Farmington and Durango communities, and our entire region, benefit when air travelers have options that result in lower airfares due to airlines competing for customers.”

The goal for construction completion is the first of 2020. The City of Farmington anticipates the return of commercial jet service summer 2020. The airport was also awarded an $850,000 Small Community Air Service Development Grant to help market and start up the new jet service. Airport manager Mike Lewis encourages the community to help support the Four Corners Regional Airport, “Farmington and the Four Corners Region have enjoyed a long history of continuous air service since 1947 when Monarch airlines first offered flights to Albuquerque and Denver. Although we lost commercial air service at the end of 2017, we can now look forward to restarting service as early as the first quarter of 2020 with an upgraded airfield and more robust aircraft. While we have the funds to help advertise and boost this service at its beginning, it will be up to the community to once again choose to fly Farmington and continue the more than 70-year long history of commercial airline service that our community has enjoyed.”

Editors notes:

Farmington Mayor Nate Duckett discussed the potential return of commercial air service to Farmington this morning on KSJE:

Airport Manager Mike Lewis discussed his optimism for commercial air service to return to Farmington during an interview on KSJE on September 20, 2019:

More from Local News

One Dead after RV Fire in Flora Vista

Around 3:40 am, Sunday, November 9, San Juan County Fire & Rescue was dispatched to reports of a structure fire on Road 3546 in Flora Vista. San Juan County Fire & Rescue responded with mutual aid from the Bloomfield Fire Department. Crews arrived to find an RV on fire and the occupant still inside. Despite a quick response from fire crews, the RV was a total loss, and an occupant was found dead after the fire was extinguished.
Lanier Announces 2026 run for NM Governor

In 2020, Lanier was elected to the San Juan County Commission, and in 2024, he was elected State Senator for New Mexico's 2nd District.
2025 General Election Results

These are unofficial results from the contested races in the 2025 General Election held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Bus Service to Link Farmington to Durango, Albuquerque

The need for the route was identified in the Statewide Public Transportation Plan and will run between Albuquerque, Farmington, Bernalillo, Cuba and into Durango, CO. The new service line will run five days a week, with one round trip each day, providing access to Navajo Transit and Red Apple Transit in Farmington.
Two Fatally Shot in Durango, Suspect Shoots Self

Durango Police say that both victims from Monday night's shooting, Shelby Campbell (32) and Emma Sims (32), have passed away from their injuries. The suspect, Bradley Campbell (32), remains on life support with a gunshot wound to the head. Durango Police Detectives continue to investigate this incident, but there is no indication that anyone else was involved.
Update: Driver Cited for Street Racing (video)

The driver of the red Toyota Supra, 22-year-old Kalynn Kenworthy, was charged with racing on highways. Kenworthy has an extensive history of traffic violations, including citations for racing in August 2025 and in 2023, as well as more than seven speeding citations within the past four years, each averaging more than 15 mph over the posted speed limit. Additional charges are pending against the driver of the white passenger car.