A fire on the runway at ASE will keep it closed until at least Friday as workers try to repair the damage.
According to local media reports, there is an “urgent runway closure due to fire damage sustained during routine maintenance last night” at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport.
The Aspen Daily News says, “A lighted X sign, used to indicate the runway is unavailable, caught fire, causing significant heat damage to the pavement at the end of Runway 33 (southern area of airport property). The damage compromised a 20-by-20-foot section of the runway,”
Arrivals were stopped from 11 am this morning.
Airplanes on the ground were allowed to depart before 5 pm.
County officials told the newspaper, “Depending on the availability of materials and the time required for the asphalt to cure, the runway may remain closed for several days.”
Currently, officials are targeting opening the runway on Friday.
By-the-seat jet private jet operator Aero operates flights between Aspen and Los Angeles.
It has flights scheduled on Thursdays and Saturdays.
Local officials recommend that flyers check with their private flight providers.
