The Fly Guy

ASPEN, Colo.—Passengers arriving on commercial aircraft at the Aspen/Pitkin County airport have the deepest pockets in Colorado.

A new study called the 2008 Colorado Airports Impact Study found that passengers spend an average $2,652, tops in Colorado. Second-highest were passengers into Eagle County Regional Airport, with $2,070 per passenger. The latter airport serves primarily Vail and Beaver Creek but, to a lesser extent, the Aspen-area resorts.

Bill Tomcich, president of Stay Aspen Snowmass, a central reservations group, said 80 percent of winter visitors to Aspen fly. The airport “is so critical to our economy,” he said.

The study also found that, while Eagle County handles more passengers, Aspen’s has more economic clout. It accounts for 11,950 jobs in Colorado, compared to 10,467 jobs initiated by Eagle County Regional.

With the economy struggling and oil prices rising, does the future look equally prosperous? Aviation consultant Mike Boyd told The Aspen Times that there won’t be big changes, but discretionary spending will slow. Tomcich noted the airlines are in what he, and most businesses, would call a crisis, since many are on the brink of bankruptcy.

Find out more about the Pitkin County Airport at Stay Aspen Snowmass.