Ann Mullins and George Newman, Guest Commentary, Aspen Daily News, September 27, 2024
Growth has long been one of the Roaring Fork Valley’s most passionately debated topics. Communities up and down the valley struggle to keep it in check. It’s no surprise that the airport modernization is being examined through that lens.
The concern: Upgrading the airport to address safety and functionality will exacerbate regional crowding. Here’s the reality: Tourism growth is principally controlled by bed base: hotels, lodges and short-term rentals — not airplane passenger capacity. Aspen Fly Right’s Amory Lovins himself pointed out that visitation is controlled by bed base at the March 21, 2024, Airport Advisory Board meeting, saying, “There’s a 98% association I found between pillow count and enplanements.” So growth is not about planes.
As for car congestion, much of the year-round vehicle traffic in and out of Aspen and Snowmass is related to the residential home economy (construction, remodeling and service). And, the majority of our summer visitors arrive by car. That’s why our community feels more congested in summer. In winter, most visitors (more than 80% for the 2022-23 ski season) arrive by plane. However, close to one-third of those travelers use airports other than than ASE, which means they’re using Highway 82 to get to Aspen and Snowmass.
And that’s the critical point: Decreasing commercial flight capacity into our airport won’t decrease the number of people visiting here. Rather, it will greatly increase the number of vehicle trips to and from Denver, Eagle and Grand Junction, adding even more traffic and making it more likely that those visitors will use a car while they’re here rather than our skier shuttle systems.
The reason for widening our airstrip is not to accommodate larger aircraft but to meet required Federal Aviation Administration safety standards. Given our altitude, mountainous terrain and limited approach, this probably should have happened years ago. The newer and wider wingspans are not just for larger airplanes, but also for better fuel efficiency. The FAA will not approve an Airport Layout Plan that does not meet the 400-foot runway/taxiway safety separation standard. If not met, they have categorically stated they will no longer provide any funds for maintaining or reconstructing the airfield or a much-needed new terminal.
In terms of “bigger” planes, the Embraer E-175 has a wingspan of 93 feet, 11 inches and a passenger capacity of 70. It will begin flying into the airport in December 2024. Although this is the exact same number of seats as on SkyWest’s few remaining CRJ-700s, it’s still not the ideal plane for us, as it’s noisy and emits the same amount of greenhouse gases. Pitkin County’s new ALP, which meets FAA standards, would allow the quieter Airbus 220-100 — with its reduced emissions, wingspan of 115 feet and 109-passenger capacity — to land here.
Pitkin County has a plan to limit growth in a modernized airport. Safeguards to avoid the “cruise ship effect” include a new net-zero terminal providing six to eight gates (the airport currently has eight fixed gates) for smaller regional aircraft (with the ability to “flex” down to fewer gates if a larger aircraft like the A220-100 arrives) thus keeping total passenger counts at approximately the same level.
The plan to add transit connectivity is a win/win for our community and the traveling public. It could even include luggage transport to their final lodging destination, thus making it more convenient to use our exceptional, free mass-transit system. To ensure all of those community goals are realized, the Pitkin Board of County Commissioners created an Airport Advisory Board made up of community members tasked with monitoring and advocating for the vision.
Growth is a worthy concern for our valley, and the county continues to focus on it, as shown through its land-use codes, which are being rewritten to address growth. The benefits of allowing next-generation aircraft to land in Aspen include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, decreasing noise for the surrounding area (including homes in the flight path) and allowing for more direct flights. Bypassing Denver for some routes will benefit travelers and further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Through the ALP, the county states: “We will continue to support the overall quality of life of residents and visitors of Pitkin County, recognizing that the airport is a vital economic asset and reflects our commitment to sustainability and stewardship of the natural environment.”
Modernizing the airport and connectivity to mass transit, making travel safer and reducing greenhouse gas emissions can only happen with an FAA-approved ALP and FAA funding.
So please, vote yes on Pitkin County ballot item 1C.
Ann Mullins is a former member of the Aspen City Council and George Newman is a former Pitkin County commissioner. Both have signed on as supporters of a new local nonprofit, Community Coalition for a 21st Century Airport.
