PAE has been selected as an engineering project partner by Pitkin County, in partnership with ZGF Architects, Charles Cunniffe Architects, REG, and HDR, to develop the new Aspen/Pitkin County Airport passenger terminal. Nestled in the heart of the Rockies, Aspen has long been known as a place where natural beauty and culture meet. From the ski slopes to the Aspen Ideas Festival, Aspen’s outdoor playground has drawn people from across the world who seek adventure, inspiration, and connection. The new airport terminal will embody the same spirit, featuring adaptive engineering design.

“The future of airport design is carbon neutrality in both landside and airside operations,” said Paul Schwer, president emeritus of PAE. “Our goal with this project is to design an innovative, high-performing terminal that allows for easy adoption of sustainable aviation fuels as they become available.”

PAE brings direct aviation design and MEP experience from hundreds of projects at a wide range of airports, including its work on Portland International Airport’s main terminal, where it designed a groundwater heating and cooling system that offers high-efficiency thermal comfort for passengers (set to be operational in 2026).

“Aspen has always been a place where nature and innovation meet, and this project captures that spirit,” said Christian J. Agulles, President and CEO of PAE. “We’re thrilled to partner with ZGF and Pitkin County to reimagine what’s possible in aviation design, bringing decades of experience in electrification and decarbonization to create a terminal that connects travelers to both the community and the landscape, and sets a new standard for sustainable, people-centered infrastructure.”

Working alongside the design and partner consultant teams is a nine-member community task force focused on terminal design and multimodal connectivity, with oversight from the Airport Advisory Board and BOCC. The new terminal is projected to be completed in late 2029 and aims to become the most adaptive, flexible, and future-proof airport in the world.