The busiest time of year for the Aspen Pitkin County Airport is also the most tenuous as far as weather delays and cancelations. This year a waiting area expansion project adds to the chaos.
As arriving passengers step into the Aspen Pitkin County airport this week they are met by their waiting friends and family, but also plastic-covered walls and the wooden frame work of what is to be an expanded passenger waiting area in the terminal.
Today marks the first day of what Airport Director John Kinney would consider the holiday rush - which is by the the busiest time of the year at the the airport. He acknowledges that this is not the ideal time for airport construction.
“Unfortunately we just started it just a couple of weeks ago so it’s going to be taking place during the peak season,” said Kinney. “The expansion will take over what is now the food court, and should allow for an additional 140 passengers to wait inside the check point area. Currently the 316 person maximum capacity means standing shoulder to shoulder with other waiting passengers. To mitigate the crowds, passengers with earlier departure flights will be allowed through security first.
Already this week there have been flight cancelations and delays. With snow expected overnight and more toward the end of the week, weather will be the key element in running a smooth shop.
“Tomorrow is gonna be a chaotic day,” said Kinney “It really is a logistical challenge every single day and weather comes into play and makes it very, very difficult.”
Kinney says the expanded waiting area will be completed by the end of January.
