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Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is considering steep landing-fee increases ahead of its 2027 runway reconstruction closure, forcing operators to think about the cost of using Aspen before they start thinking about where they'll go during the shutdown. According to Aspen Times reporting, general aviation landing fees would increase roughly 140% under the proposal, from $13.76 to $33.09 per 1,000 pounds of aircraft weight, as the airport prepares for an extended closure associated with runway reconstruction. The temporary closure, which runs from April 4, 2027, through Nov. 19, 2027, is part of a broader airfield modernization effort. Even with no commercial or general aviation operations permitted, the airport will still carry many of its operating expenses. The proposed landing-fee increase is meant to address that gap. Airport officials argue that costs continue regardless of whether aircraft are arriving, and the airport director has described the goal as recouping a full year of expenses in the months the airport is open. Commissioners are scheduled to hold a public hearing Nov. 4, and the proposed rates would take effect Jan. 1, 2027. If approved, the higher rate would apply to operations at Aspen from Jan. 1 until the closure begins April 4. Whether they ultimately approve the proposal as presented or modify it, the debate highlights a broader reality that infrastructure projects often change the economics of an airport long before they change the physical airport itself. The closure itself will create a temporary redistribution of traffic throughout the mountain-airport network. Operators who regularly serve ASE and are ready to evaluate alternative airports need to look no further than ASE's own closure FAQ section on its website, which names Rifle Garfield County Airport as an alternate for general aviation flights and lists Vail/Eagle County, Grand Junction, Montrose and Denver for commercial service. The discussion is especially relevant for larger aircraft because landing fees scale with weight. At the proposed rate, a 50,000-pound MTOW aircraft would pay about $1,655, up from $688. A 100,000-pound MTOW aircraft would pay about $3,309, up from $1,376. Those higher landing fees will particularly add up for local operators and frequent visitors, whose other choice is to divert to nearby airports even before the reconstruction period begins. As alternative airports absorb activity, FBOs, handling providers and support infrastructure throughout the region should expect changes in fuel volumes, ramp activity and hangar demand. Why it matters Operators planning Aspen missions in 2027 already know a closure is coming. The landing-fee proposal offers a preview of how the project may affect operating costs as well. With the rate hike proposal not yet locked in, the Nov. 4 hearing should be on every local operator's radar.