Aspen/Pitkin County Airport Emergency Contingency Plan

The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport has prepared this Emergency Contingency Plan pursuant to §42301 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012. Questions regarding this plan can be directed to Operations Manager, David Schneider at david.schneider@aspenairport.com. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport is filing this plan with the Department of Transportation because it is a commercial airport.

This plan describes how, following excessive tarmac delays and to the extent practicable, Aspen/Pitkin County Airport will:

  • Provide for the deplanement of passengers;
  • Provide for the sharing of facilities and make gates available at the airport
  • Provide for a sterile area of facilities following excessive tarmac delays for passengers who have not yet cleared United States Customs & Border Protection (CBP).

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport has facility constraints that limit our ability to accommodate diverted flights and strongly encourages aircraft operators to contact the airport at (970) 920-5760 for prior coordination of diverted flights, except in the case of a declared in-flight emergency. Specific facility constraints include the following: small apron/parking area, limited number of commercial aircraft parking positions, limited space in the secured boarding area, lack of international passenger processing facilities and the airport is closed from 2300-0700 local. There is also an aircraft size and weight restriction listed in the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport Airport/Facility Directory record.

Airport Information

Name of Airport: Aspen/Pitkin County Airport

Name and title of person preparing the plan: David Schneider contact number: (970) 429-2855

Preparer contact e-mail: david.schneider@aspenairport.com Date of submission of plan: 5/19/2017

Airport Category: Non-Hub

Contact Information

In the event of diversion or other irregular operations events, aircraft operators should contact Airport Operations at (970)920-5760 for assistance.

Plan to Provide for the Deplanement of Passengers Following Excessive Tarmac Delays

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport personnel do not operate any of the equipment needed to safely deplane passengers from air carrier aircraft and is, therefore, unable on its own to provide for the deplanement of passengers. Additionally, airport personnel are not trained to assist in the deplanement of passengers using equipment owned or operated by air carriers or contract service providers. We will provide a list of airlines, ground handlers, fixed base operators, and others who may have the necessary equipment and personnel to safely deplane passengers to airlines as soon as practicable after receiving requests from such airlines experiencing excessive tarmac delays at the contact number listed above.

Plan to Provide for the Sharing of Facilities and Make Gates Available in an Emergency

The gates at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport are under common use agreements to air carriers and are controlled by the airport. We direct our common use air carrier users to make gates and other facilities available to an air carrier seeking to deplane at a gate to the extent practicable. The maximum occupancy for the secured boarding area limited to a maximum occupancy of 507.

Plan to Provide a Sterile Area for Passengers Who Have Not Cleared United States Customs and Border Protection

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport does not have international passenger processing facilities. The closest CBP port of entry is Eagle County Regional Airport. We will coordinate with local CBP and law enforcement officials to identify suitable areas and procedures for establishing a temporary sterile area into which international passengers on diverted aircraft who have not yet cleared United States Customs and Border Protection can be deplaned. Once these efforts are complete, we will coordinate with local CBP officials to develop procedures that will allow international passengers who have not yet cleared United States Customs and Border Protection to be deplaned into these sterile areas to the extent practicable.

Public Access to the Emergency Contingency Plan

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport will provide public access to its emergency contingency plan through one or more of the following means:

  • Posting in a conspicuous location on the airport website (http://www.aspenairport.com) Posting signs in conspicuous locations in the terminal.