Aspen Airport: The 95 Foot Wingspan Limit, the Curfew and Flying Private to Aspen

Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (ASE), also called Sardy Field, is about 3 miles northwest of Aspen and is owned by Pitkin County. It is one of the busiest private jet destinations in the Rockies in ski season, and one of the most restricted: aircraft with a wingspan over 95 feet cannot use it, the field is closed every night, and the airport has announced a closure from April 4 to November 19, 2027 for runway reconstruction. This guide covers those rules, the FBO and what the routes into Aspen cost.

The Rules That Decide Which Jet You Fly

Three limits in the FAA data shape every Aspen charter:

• Wingspan of 95 feet or less. The airport is restricted to aircraft with a maximum wingspan of 95 ft. That rules out some of the largest business jets, so check the aircraft before you commit to a quote for a big group.
• Closed from 23:00 to 07:00. Plan arrivals and departures inside those hours. Atlantic Aviation lists arrivals from 07:00 to 23:00 and departures from 07:00 to 22:30.
• Night rules. After 30 minutes past sunset, the pilot must be instrument rated and the aircraft equipped for instrument flight.

A noise abatement program is also in effect. Aspen sits at high elevation and the single runway is 8,006 ft long with a 1,000 ft displaced threshold on runway 33, so performance on a warm day can limit how much fuel and how many passengers a jet can carry. Your operator checks this for each flight. For how runway length affects aircraft choice, see how much runway a private jet needs.

The 2027 Closure

The airport’s own site says ASE will be closed from April 4 to November 19, 2027 for runway reconstruction. If you plan to fly into Aspen during that window, the realistic alternatives are other Colorado airports with a drive or a short connection. Eagle County Regional (EGE), which serves Vail, is one; our New York to Vail page prices a flight there.

Aspen FBO

The FAA data lists one FBO on the field, and its own website confirms the location:

• Atlantic Aviation, 69 East Airport Road. Its page lists FBO hours of 06:00 to 23:00 daily and a heated hangar for aircraft up to a Gulfstream G450, with 24 hour surveillance.

FBO fees for handling, parking and de-icing in winter are set by the FBO and passed on in a charter quote. Our guide to what it costs to land a private plane explains those charges.

Routes to Aspen

These are calculated from the great circle distance and manufacturer cruise speeds, with 2026 hourly rates. Each page shows every jet size and the empty return.

Route	Distance	Flight time	Flight time cost
Denver to Aspen	96 nm	35 min (midsize)	$2,300 to $4,100
Dallas to Aspen	619 nm	1 h 45 min (midsize)	$7,000 to $12,300
Los Angeles to Aspen	634 nm	1 h 50 min (midsize)	$7,300 to $12,900
New York to Aspen	1,503 nm	3 h 50 min (midsize)	$15,300 to $26,900

A one way charter often pays for the empty flight home, so check the last column on each route page. Every priced route is on the private jet routes page.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the wingspan limit at Aspen airport?

95 feet. The FAA data restricts Aspen-Pitkin County Airport to aircraft with a maximum wingspan of 95 ft, which excludes some of the largest business jets.

What time does Aspen airport close?

The airport is closed from 23:00 to 07:00 every night, according to the FAA data. Atlantic Aviation lists departures until 22:30.

Is Aspen airport closing in 2027?

Yes. The airport's site says it will be closed from April 4 to November 19, 2027 for runway reconstruction.

How far is Aspen airport from town?

About 3 miles northwest of Aspen, according to the FAA data published on AirNav.

Sources

• FAA airport data for Aspen-Pitkin County Airport (KASE), as published by AirNav, airnav.com/airport/KASE, checked November 7, 2026
• Aspen-Pitkin County Airport, aspenairport.com (2027 runway closure notice)
• Atlantic Aviation, Aspen (ASE) location page, atlanticaviation.com
• Villiers Jets, 2026 hourly charter rates (March 30, 2026), villiers.ai