ASPEN, Colo. (AP) — The Aspen-Pitkin County Airport is eliminating curbside parking near the terminal to comply with federal security rules.
The Aspen Daily News reported Friday that the U.S. Transportation Security Administration wants the parking spaces eliminated to reduce the threat of car bombs near the terminal.
Airport Director John Kinney says airport officials delayed the change as long as they could.
Kinney says the curbside parking spots will be replaced next spring with lanes where drivers can stop briefly to load and unload passengers but cannot leave their vehicles unattended. It’s the arrangement most airports nationwide use.
He says short-term parking spots are still available 100 feet (30 meters) from the terminal.
Airport staff began handing out cards on Thursday to people who parked curbside to tell them about the change.