Capacity Nearly Doubled for TSA Screen Passengers Awaiting Flights
The airport cafe, bar, gift shop and three additional restrooms will become part of the secure boarding area effective this Saturday. That means the only people allowed access to these areas will be ticketed and TSA screened travelers. The expansion will increase the secure area capacity from 317 people to 517.
“This expansion is a temporary solution to overcrowding in the terminal,” said Airport Director, John Kinney. “More space for our screened travelers will make them more comfortable and give them access to our cafe, bar and gift shop,” Kinney said.
Beginning Saturday, unticketed and unscreened individuals will no longer be able to access the cafe, bar and gift shop. Traveler greeters, chauffeurs and other unticketed and unscreened airport guests will be allowed in the baggage claim and ticketing areas only.
“We believe this will be an improvement but not an ideal solution to overcrowding,” Kinney said. “We appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding while we operate out of our increasingly strained facility.”
An environmental assessment for a new airport terminal is currently underway. Public meetings to gather input on environmental concerns and impacts are scheduled in Aspen and Snowmass Village on February 16th and 18th respectively.