Summer Air Travel to Aspen Sees Small Decline in 2025

The Aspen-Pitkin County Airport saw a slight decrease in commercial airline passengers during the summer of 2025, compared to the same time period in 2024. According to figures released by Bill Tomcich, consultant for Fly Aspen Snowmass, there was a 2% drop in combined passenger totals for June, July, and August. In 2024, the airport saw 202,613 passengers, while this year it saw 198,504.

Tomcich explained that the decrease was not significant, as the summer of 2024 had been a record year for commercial air travel in Aspen. He also noted that high winds in June and July led to some cancelled and diverted flights, which may have contributed to the decline.

However, despite the slight decrease, the total number of summer commercial airline passengers in 2024 and 2025 was still higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019, when 173,120 people flew in and out of the airport. The pandemic had caused a drastic drop in air travel, but it had rebounded to 2019 levels by 2023.

Tomcich’s report to local stakeholders and others last week was positive, citing the end of strong winds and more favorable flying weather. He also noted that United and SkyWest had been making extra efforts to complete flights into Aspen, even if it meant delaying them until the following morning.

Despite this, Tomcich mentioned that the airport had not seen record-breaking passenger numbers in June, July, and August, ending a streak of 11 consecutive record months. The airport had been closed for annual maintenance in May, and the peak period for summer air travel in Aspen is typically from the third week of June to the second week of August.

The Aspen airport is served by three major airlines – United, American, and Delta – with flights handled by third-party carrier SkyWest. A fourth airline, Aero, also provides limited high-end, nonstop service to New York and the Los Angeles area. Private jets are also accommodated at the airport by fixed-based operator Atlantic Aviation, but statistics for these flights are not publicly reported.

In summary, while there was a small decline in summer air travel to Aspen in 2025, it was still higher than pre-pandemic levels and overall, the season was considered successful. The airport continues to serve both commercial and private flights, providing crucial transportation for visitors to this popular mountain destination.