Aspen Airport closed: runway damaged after sign fire

ASPEN, Colo. — The Pitkin County Airport runway was closed Wednesday after being damaged by a sign that caught fire Tuesday evening.

According to the airport, the runway was damaged during routine maintenance when an illuminated “X” sign indicating the runway was “unavailable” caught fire. This fire caused “significant” damage to the track surface at the departure end.

A section approximately 20 feet by 20 feet was damaged.

The closure could last several days depending on the availability of materials and the time needed for the asphalt to harden, the airport said. They plan to monitor the track throughout the day to ensure safety and assess the extent of the damage.

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Currently, the airport is scheduled to reopen Friday morning, but travelers are encouraged to contact their carrier directly for more information on their flight schedules. American, United, Delta and SkyWest offer scheduled flights to and from the airport.

The airport said it was working with the FAA, partner airlines and other tenants to manage the situation.

Additional updates are expected to be posted on social media, the airport said.

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