All parking spaces in the traveller drop-off and pick-up area in front of the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport terminal are being eliminated beginning this week and replaced with drive-through only lanes. This is the latest step to meet national security standards mandated by the Transportation Security Administration at all airports.
The changes get underway this Friday, May 24th (weather permitting) and will involve removing the existing back-in parking spaces in front of the airport terminal and creating the drive-through only lanes.
“We have been gearing up for this change since the mid-winter when we had no choice other than to comply with the TSA security mandate,” said Airport Director, John Kinney. “It has been a pretty significant change for folks who have been accustomed to parking for lengths of time at curbside and our customers have been very understanding and cooperative for the most part,” Kinney said.
Drive through lanes shown in red will replace existing parking spaces in front of the terminal.
With the elimination of curbside parking spaces, travellers will have just enough time to hop out of their cars on arrival and make their way into the terminal to catch their flights. Arriving travellers may be picked up in front of the terminal but vehicles will not be allowed to remain parked for more than a few minutes, much like traveller drop-off and pick-up at most airports across the country. No unattended vehicles will be allowed.
In addition to the changes in front of the terminal, other airport parking lot spaces will be given fresh coats of paint. Work is set to occur during the afternoon and evening hours when it is least disruptive to travellers. The project is expected to begin May 24th and take approximately five days to complete in favorable weather conditions.
Travellers are reminded that parking is free for the first hour in all airport parking lots if more time is needed for the drop-off or pick-up experience. Please take advantage of this local amenity!
As always, the Transportation Security Administration recommends arriving 1.5 to 2 hours prior to a scheduled flight time.
For more TSA travel tips:
http://aspenairport.com/flight-information/tsa-travel-tips
MEDIA CONTACT: Airport Director John Kinney - 970 - 429-2853