Monticello, US 🇺🇸 Closed Airport
US-11553
-
6998 ft
US-UT
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Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 37.937199° N, -109.347° E
Continent: NA
Type: Closed Airport
Keywords: U43 MXC KU43
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| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
16/34 |
4817 ft | 75 ft | ASP | Active Lighted |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| UNIC | CTAF/UNICOM | 122.8 MHz |
Approximately 1993. The exact date is not officially recorded, but its closure coincided with the construction and opening of its replacement, the new Monticello Airport (FAA LID: K67L), which was commissioned in November 1993.
Replacement by a superior facility. The original airport had a shorter, unpaved (dirt/gravel) runway that was inadequate for modern standards and larger general aviation aircraft. The community and county invested in a new airport located a few miles to the north with a longer, paved runway (5,100 ft) and better infrastructure to improve safety, reliability, and all-weather access for Monticello and San Juan County.
The airport is permanently closed and abandoned for aviation use. Satellite imagery of the coordinates (37.937199, -109.347) clearly shows the faint outline of the old runway. The land appears to be privately owned and is used for what looks like industrial storage or light agricultural purposes. The runway is unmaintained and overgrown, and at least one large building, possibly a former hangar, is visible on the site but is no longer used for aviation.
The original Monticello Airport served as the primary general aviation airfield for the city of Monticello, Utah, for several decades, likely dating back to at least the mid-1950s. It handled private aircraft, small charter operations, and potentially services related to local industries like mining, ranching, and tourism (providing access to nearby national parks like Canyonlands and Arches). As a typical small-town airfield, it was a vital link for a relatively remote community before being superseded by its modern replacement. The ICAO code 'US-11553' is a non-standard internal database identifier; the airport's historical FAA or local identifier is not readily available, but it was the predecessor to the current K67L.
There are no plans or prospects for reopening this airport. Its role has been completely and effectively taken over by the modern Monticello Airport (K67L). Reopening this older, less capable facility would be logistically and economically unfeasible, especially with a superior, publicly-funded airport operating nearby.