Officials and customers at Colorado commercial airports outside of Denver reported few if any problems Thursday morning.
In Aspen, airport employees reported no major problems, just a concerted education campaign. They also opened up a second security gate , which eased the flow of passenger traffic.
“The line was a little long this morning,” said Aspen/Pitkin County Airport Assistant Aviation Director David Ulane. “Part of that comes from the fact that first thing in the morning we have four flights in an hour and a half.”
Ulane said there was one slight flight delay and that the others all departed on time.
“It hasn’t been too bad,” he said. “People are understanding. Our staff hasn’t had any issues with folks. They understand what’s going on.”
Airport staff were handing out sheets to passengers explaining the new security measures and several Pitkin County sheriff’s deputies were assigned to the airport.
“Everyone seems to be OK with it,” said Deputy Brady Jax. “So far great customers and happy travelers. It’s a lot easier to go though here than DIA or LAX.”
At the Colorado Springs Airport, passengers experienced waits of about an hour at the security checkpoint between 5 and 6:30 a.m. Once the number of security lines was expanded, the wait quickly dropped to about 10 minutes. As of 11 a.m., all lines had diminished.
All but one of the early flights to leave the airport was delayed, an airport officials said.
A French family arriving at the Eagle County Airport at about 10 a.m. for a 12:50 p.m. flight to Denver said they were surprised by the lack of a wait.
Pascal Samama, who was flying with his wife and two children, said the family always tries to get to the airport 90 minutes early, but didn’t realize the tiny airport in Gypsum would be so quiet.
Elizabeth Wilt, an administrative assistant, said travelers at the Eagle County Airport were being advised to arrive two hours early.
Denver Post Staff Writer Erin Emery contributed to this report.
