Wyoming Travelers Prefer Smaller Airports for Convenience and Community

Short lines, free parking, and friendly staff make tiny airports a hit with Wyoming flyers

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:40pm

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A highly stylized, geometric illustration depicting the grand scale and sweeping forms of an airport terminal, conveying the sense of travel and community that draws Wyoming flyers to smaller regional airports.Wyoming's smaller regional airports offer travelers a more personal and convenient flying experience, with friendly staff, short lines, and a strong sense of community.Cheyenne Today

Wyoming travelers are increasingly opting for smaller regional airports over major hubs, citing benefits like shorter security lines, free parking, and a stronger sense of community. Frequent flyers like Charles Gross and Brad Enzi say the convenience and personal touch of tiny airports make them worth the trade-off of potentially longer layovers or less flight options. Local business owners and economic development leaders also highlight how maintaining air service at small airports is vital for their communities.

Why it matters

As major airports become more crowded and impersonal, Wyoming's smaller regional airports are attracting a loyal following of travelers who value the convenience, safety, and community atmosphere these facilities provide. Keeping these airports viable is crucial for the economic development of rural communities that lack other major transportation options.

The details

Wyoming travelers say they prefer smaller regional airports like Cheyenne, Casper, and Riverton over larger hubs like Denver for several reasons. The security lines are shorter, parking is often free, and the staff are friendlier and more attentive. Frequent flyer Charles Gross says he can quickly run home to retrieve a forgotten item at the Cheyenne airport, something that would be impossible at a larger airport. Aviation enthusiast Brad Enzi appreciates the "romance" of tiny runways and the ability to see the landscape from a small plane. Local business owners like Brad Ruckert say the community feel of small airports, where you often know the TSA agents and other staff, makes the experience more pleasant.

  • Just over a year ago, Gross was asked to show his vaccination passport at the Cheyenne airport, which he was able to quickly retrieve from home.
  • The new Rock Springs airport terminal opened in the fall of 2025.

The players

Charles Gross

A frequent flyer who travels the globe building factories and prefers the convenience and community of small Wyoming airports over major hubs.

Brad Enzi

An aviation enthusiast from Laramie who appreciates the "romance" and unique experience of flying out of tiny regional airports.

Kevin Kershisnik

A Riverton business leader who became involved in efforts to save and improve air service at the local airport, which he says is vital for the community's economic development.

Brad Ruckert

The operator of Downhome Discount stores in Powell and Cody who prefers the friendly staff and community atmosphere of small airports.

Mike Enzi

The former U.S. Senator from Wyoming who introduced his son Brad to the joys of flying out of tiny airports.

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What they’re saying

“The beauty of small airports, other than getting your luggage in so quickly, is that you get to know all the people behind the counter. And once you're inside the airport, once you're past the gate, you can relax.”

— Charles Gross, Frequent Flyer

“It's just a lot more fun to go to an airport where you can go straight to your plane and you get to the end of the runway and you can go anywhere in the world. And when you get on and you look at the tiny little runway and the tinier planes, and you just think, 'Holy smokes.' There's some fun in that to me.”

— Brad Enzi, Aviation Enthusiast

“This is an awesome service for us to have in a small rural community. And it's critical for us. We don't have major interstates coming through Riverton. We don't have rail coming through Riverton. Not many ships are coming into Riverton. So, we have to maintain commercial air service, which is our gateway to the rest of the world.”

— Kevin Kershisnik, Riverton Business Leader

“The best part about small airports are the people working there. It's sort of like our store. It's your neighbors. I can walk into the TSA in Cody, and it's my neighbors, it's friends, it's people I see throughout town, and they're always happy and the lines always move through quick.”

— Brad Ruckert, Downhome Discount Store Operator

What’s next

The Cheyenne Regional Airport is planning to expand its terminal and parking facilities in the coming years to accommodate growing demand from local travelers.

The takeaway

Wyoming's smaller regional airports are providing a more personalized and convenient travel experience that is resonating with local residents, who are increasingly choosing these facilities over major hubs. Maintaining air service at these community-oriented airports is vital for the economic development of rural areas that lack other major transportation options.