A commercial airport in the United States will close completely for most of 2027, and that’s not something you often see…
In this post:
Aspen Airport closing from April 4 through November 19, 2027
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) has announced that it will be closing for a little over seven months in 2027 — specifically, from 11PM on Sunday, April 4 through 7PM on Friday, November 19. In other words, from Easter to Thanksgiving (assuming there are no delays, of course). While the airport will be closed for most of 2027, at least it’s timed so that it doesn’t impact the peak winter season.
This is being done so that the airport can undergo infrastructure improvements, intended to improve safety, access, efficiency, and long term operational reliability. No commercial or general aviation operations will be permitted at the airport during the closure, and there will be no access to the terminal during that time.
This closure will be to complete reconstruction of the existing runway, to meet current Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards. The runway will be shifted slightly to the west, and will also be widened by 50%, from 100 feet to 150 feet, in order to meet current FAA requirements.
Regarding FAA requirements, some may remember the drama some time back, regarding the future of Aspen Airport. Long story short, many locals opposed necessary updates to the airport, primarily because they wanted to limit commercial service at the airport. These constraints caused some real issues, since among commercial aircraft, historically only CRJ-700s have been able to serve the airport. That finally changed, though, and now Embraer E175s are also allowed.
Preparatory work will already begin this summer, whereby the road next to the airport will be shifted, to make room for the wider runway.
Here’s how Diane Jackson, the Airport Director, described this:
“Our team is committed to coordinating with federal partners, airlines, general aviation partners, and the broader community as we prepare for this important project and the future of the airport. This project is a long-term investment in the safety, reliability, and future of Aspen/Pitkin County Airport, and we will continue to engage with our community every step of the way.”
Aspen Airport is also getting new terminals in 2029
In April 2027, it’s not just work on the runway that will be starting. As of the same date, construction will start on a new commercial passenger terminal, as well as a new private facility. However, those are only expected to open in 2029, so when the airport reopens in late 2027, it’ll continue to use the old terminal facilities, for the time being.
The final design concept for the new terminal hasn’t yet been decided, but if you’ve flown through Aspen Airport, you know that the facility could use an upgrade, especially in peak season, when the terminal gets absolutely slammed. I’m curious to see what the final design concept is.
I’d say that I hope there’s also finally a lounge, though I suspect basically everyone flying into or out of Aspen in winter would be eligible for lounge access, so maybe that’s of limited value, unless you really just enjoy standing in line. 😉
Bottom line
Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) between April and November of 2027, so that the runway can be fully redeveloped. It’ll be moved and widened by around 50 feet, so that’s a major project. During that time, the airport will fully be closed to traffic.
These are overdue changes, so it’s good to see them. Around the same time, we’ll also see construction start on a new terminal, but that will only open in 2029.
What do you make of the work happening at Aspen Airport?
Thank god it's back open for ski season. Not slumming it from Vail
Vail resident here - EGE parking is already a complete mess and frequently completely full. I have had to park in some sketchy spots and not been ticketed or towed (yet) but always hold my breath. There is plenty of land out there - hopefully they get this resolved fast. Added way too many flights this winter. Increasing parking from $8 to $10 and gating it is not the answer to fix the capacity issues.
‘I’d say that I hope there’s also finally a lounge, though I suspect basically everyone flying into or out of Aspen in winter would be eligible for lounge access, so maybe that’s of limited value, unless you really just enjoy standing in line.’
Haha Ben. Do you hope this airport will have something like PS LAX or Huan Yu Terminal at TPE?
Your “lounge” comment was tongue in cheek, right? Give one good reason why Aspen needs a lounge. An outdoor observation deck would make a tad more sense.
Improvements to the runway (increased width) won't help get bigger planes into ASE. Approach minimums for IFR procedures into ASE basically need VFR weather (the RNAV-F and the LOC/DME-E both require 3200' ceiling / 3 miles for Cat C aircraft).
Besides, the larger narrowbodies are Cat D (737-900ER, A321s, etc.) and neither of those approaches into ASE have authorized Cat D minimums. So the airlines cannot dispatch planes that large (well - with final approach...
Improvements to the runway (increased width) won't help get bigger planes into ASE. Approach minimums for IFR procedures into ASE basically need VFR weather (the RNAV-F and the LOC/DME-E both require 3200' ceiling / 3 miles for Cat C aircraft).
Besides, the larger narrowbodies are Cat D (737-900ER, A321s, etc.) and neither of those approaches into ASE have authorized Cat D minimums. So the airlines cannot dispatch planes that large (well - with final approach speeds that fast) into ASE.
So don't hold your breath on getting anything bigger than maybe a 737-700 on the route - and hope you booked your flights on a day the weather is nice and clear. If the airline cannot get in because of the weather (clouds below 3000' above the field) a need to go to an alternate would not be considered something within the airline's control. So the airline doesn't owe you a hotel etc.
Oh no! What are the filthy rich going to do?????
Eagle is overrun enough. Takes 45 to get bags everytime. This will make it worse
Living in Aspen for 18 years, I worked at the airport for almost 10 years before transferring to DEN. You have no idea of what this modernization means not only to the community, but also the employees that work there. It was a dismal terminal back in its eary days. From all the videos I’ve watched, it looks like they have their act together. Wishing them the best!
I would love to see NYC to Aspen direct.....fingers crossed.
Donny's buddy Jeff used to fly direct.
It's all in the files.
Looks like the Eagle County Airport 30 miles away (near Vail) will be much busier next year. Many smart Aspen pax have already begin to choose it by default. Most carriers already run near-full 319s, 737s and 757s into EGE, so let's hope there's increased frequency during the shutdown. Even with the runway improvements, the ASE will be a "Fisher-Price Airport", incapable of operating with any reliability or delivering any passenger comfort.
Yeah I see this as a mess. Advice, don't book a late connection into Eagle.
Whatever will the 1% do in the mean time?
The Global & Gulfstream set will find a way. They'll probably fly into Eagle County Airport and jump on a helicopter over to Aspen.
They'll be leaving on a jet plane.
Don't know when they'll be back again.
Oh Aspen, they hate to go.
Lots of them fly in and out of Rifle over ASE. It's a much more reliable airport and supports a huge amount of private service. They will not be affected too much by this. It's the normal people that will have a much longer commute, either though Eagle or just driving from DEN.
Looks like the runway movement and widening would allow mainline flights to ASE.