The busy holiday season at the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport begins tomorrow with the number of commercial flights jumping from today’s daily 8 flights to as many as 42 flights per day through the first week of the new year. Long security checkpoint lines are anticipated and travelers are advised to allow two hours before a flight to check-in and be processed into the boarding area.
“It’s go time at the airport and we’re as ready as we can be,” said Airport Director, John Kinney. TSA is fully staffed with three additional security officers, and our Aspen Chamber concierge services are also fully staffed and ready to assist travelers. The weather reports look favorable over the holidays and that is always a plus,” Kinney said.
Travelers are advised to arrive two hours before their flight as lines at security checkpoints will be predictably long over the holidays. Airport staff will be assisting TSA with “line management” which helps shuffle travelers with flights departing the soonest further forward in line.
“We can’t guarantee that our line management efforts will eliminate the possibility of a missed flight because of long lines,” Kinney warned. “The best thing to do is arrive two hours early. The cafe and bar are in the secured boarding area so travelers can enjoy coffee or a drink and a meal while they wait,” Kinney said. “Remember, you must arrive at least 45 minutes before your fight or you will not be allowed to check your bags.”
Travelers in cue during at security checkpoint at a busy time at the airport.
New this season is the TSA’s terminal curbside parking restriction. Unattended vehicles are no longer allowed in front of the airport terminal for any length of time. Unattended vehicles will be towed. Parking is available at no charge in all airport parking lots for the first hour. The airport’s short-term lot A is a mere 100 feet from the terminal building.
“We recommend that folks picking up family and friends for the holidays check flight arrivals online at aspenairport.com and stay in cell phone contact so they can remain in their vehicles in front of the terminal, if need be, to make pick ups. The other option is to park in short or long-term lots for that first free hour and walk a short distance to greet their friends inside the arrivals area,” Kinney said.
Should deteriorating weather force flight cancellations during the holidays, local limousine services are available at the airport and the airlines can make arrangements to bus travelers to Aspen from Grand Junction should flights be diverted there.
Flight information is always available on at aspenairport.com or on Comcast Channel 8. Travelers are advised to check with their airlines with questions about their flights. The Aspen Chamber of Commerce guest services telephone number is 970-920-5380.
MEDIA CONTACT: John Kinney - Airport Director - 970-429-2851