As Colorado’s ski resorts brace for a surge of traffic during the upcoming holiday period, the FAA has issued air traffic management plans for private aircraft heading into the region’s airports. While reservations and slots are not required, operators should expect ATC traffic management initiatives (TMI) on days of peak demand, with airport capacity dictated by a variety of factors including weather conditions, parking availability and operational demand.
On such days, TMIs might include required arrival routes, miles-in-trail restrictions, ground stops or delays and/or aerospace flow programs. Affected airports include Aspen, Eagle, Rifle, Grand Junction, Gunnison, Hayden, Montrose and Telluride. On days of peak demand, required arrival routes will be published in ATC command center advisories.
For departures from Gunnison, Hayden, Montrose and Rifle, on dates of anticipated peak demand—December 22 to 23, 26 to 27 and 29 to 30, as well as January 1 to 2 and 6 to 7—Denver Center will be using clearance delivery procedures via telephone lines from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. local time. When the procedures are active, a Notam will be published.