The Aspen-Pitkin County Airport was evacuated Tuesday afternoon following a security threat that triggered a multi-agency emergency response. The incident, which centered on an email threat directed at airport property, forced the temporary closure of the facility and disrupted regional air travel.
According to a news release from Pitkin County, staff members received the threatening email early Tuesday afternoon, prompting an immediate safety protocols. The Pitkin County Sheriff’s Office, the Aspen Police Department, the Snowmass Village Police Department, the Aspen Ambulance District, and the Aspen Airport Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting team quickly mobilized to secure the premises.
By 3:00 p.m., travelers and airport employees were seen gathering in the airport’s Elk Lot as law enforcement officials conducted a thorough sweep of the interior and exterior of the terminal. The operation caused significant delays for those at the airport, but officials worked to ensure a swift and orderly evacuation.
The disruption had an immediate impact on flight schedules. Airport Communications Specialist Kelsey Petersen confirmed that two SkyWest flights from Denver were affected. One inbound flight was diverted to Grand Junction, while a second flight was forced to return to its point of origin. Petersen noted that there were no active flights on the ground at the Aspen facility when the evacuation order was issued, preventing further congestion on the tarmac.
At approximately 3:45 p.m., airport employee Ebenezer Henry addressed the group of displaced passengers and crew members in the parking lot. He confirmed that a security incident had necessitated the evacuation but stated that law enforcement had cleared the property and deemed it safe for operations to resume. Roughly 15 minutes later, crowds were allowed to head back into the terminal to resume their travel plans.
By 4:00 p.m., normal operations had largely resumed at the airport. Despite the high-stakes nature of the evacuation, officials reported that no injuries occurred during the process, and no arrests have been made in connection to the threat thus far.
While the facility has been declared secure, the incident remains under active investigation. When asked for further clarification regarding the origin or content of the email, Petersen declined to provide additional details, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
“We are not releasing additional details about the nature of the incident as the investigation remains ongoing,” Petersen stated in an email to the Aspen Daily News.
Local law enforcement agencies have not yet indicated if they have identified any suspects. Authorities are expected to continue their inquiry as they work to trace the source of the communication that led to the security alert. Travelers are advised to check with their respective airlines for updated flight status information as the airport continues to recover from the afternoon’s disruptions.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
