Denver International Airport: Understanding Busiest Times With Graphs

Denver International Airport (DIA) has been one of the busiest airports in the world for several years. In 2021, it was ranked third globally, serving 58.83 million passengers. The following year, it maintained its ranking, serving 69.3 million passengers, a 17.8% increase from 2021. However, in 2023, DIA fell to the sixth-busiest airport in the world, with Atlanta, Dubai, Dallas-Fort Worth, London, and Tokyo taking the top five spots. Despite this drop in ranking, DIA still served over 70 million passengers in 2023, the highest in its history.

Denver International Airport (DIA) is the third busiest airport in the world

Denver International Airport (DIA) has consistently ranked among the top 20 busiest airports in the world since 2000. In 2021, DIA was the third busiest airport in the world, serving 58.83 million passengers. This was a significant increase from 2019 when it ranked 16th globally. The following year, in 2022, DIA maintained its position as the third busiest airport worldwide, with 69.3 million passengers passing through. This increase in passenger traffic can be attributed to various factors, including the airport's expansion projects and its role as a major hub for several airlines.

DIA's rise to become one of the world's busiest airports can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the airport's convenient location in Denver, Colorado, makes it an ideal airline hub. Denver's midcontinent location offers strategic advantages for domestic and international travel. Additionally, DIA has been actively working to expand its facilities and accommodate growing passenger numbers. For example, the Gate Expansion project added 39 new concourse gates, increasing the airport's overall capacity by 30%. The construction of new security checkpoints and travel corridors also helps streamline passenger flow and enhance overall airport efficiency.

Another factor contributing to DIA's high ranking is its role as a major hub for several airlines. United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines all have a significant presence at DIA. In 2021, these three carriers made DIA their top airport for flights, with more arrivals and departures than any other travel hub. This marked the first time an airport ranked first for total flights for three different carriers. DIA's ability to attract and accommodate multiple airlines contributes to its high passenger traffic and reinforces its position as a leading global aviation hub.

While DIA has experienced remarkable growth in passenger numbers, it has also faced challenges. In December 2022, a severe winter storm caused many flight cancellations and delays across the airport. Despite these occasional setbacks, DIA continues to thrive and expand. The airport proposed a $1.33 billion budget for 2023, projecting that traffic would exceed pre-pandemic levels. This commitment to growth and improvement positions DIA to maintain its status as one of the world's leading aviation hubs.

In summary, Denver International Airport's strategic location, expansion initiatives, and strong relationships with major airlines have propelled it to become the third busiest airport in the world. With continuous improvements and a focus on enhancing the passenger experience, DIA is well-equipped to handle increasing passenger traffic and maintain its position as a key global aviation hub.

DIA served 69.3 million passengers in 2022

Denver International Airport (DIA) served approximately 69.3 million passengers in 2022, a 17.8% increase from 2021. This made it the third busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic for the second year in a row, according to the Airports Council International. DIA trailed just behind Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, which hosted 75.7 million and 62.5 million passengers in 2021, respectively.

DIA's ranking as the third busiest airport in the world is impressive, especially considering that it was ranked eighth in 2020 and 16th in 2019. The airport's high ranking can be attributed to its strong domestic travel market, as international travel restrictions during the pandemic significantly impacted international travel numbers. In fact, in 2021, countries with robust domestic travel markets, like the US, dominated the list of busiest airports.

To accommodate the increasing number of passengers, DIA has been working on various expansion projects. For example, the Gate Expansion project added 39 new concourse gates, increasing the airport's overall capacity by 30%. Construction has also begun on two new security checkpoints and travel corridors, and the airport has proposed a $1.33 billion budget for 2023, projecting that traffic will exceed pre-pandemic levels.

DIA's popularity as a travel hub is evident, and it continues to be a major airport serving both domestic and international passengers. In 2023, the airport reported a record-breaking number of passengers, with over 77 million passengers served. This was a 12.3% increase from the previous record year of 2022, and it was the first year that the airport served more than 70 million passengers.

DIA's busiest month for passenger traffic is July

Denver International Airport, or DIA, has been one of the busiest travel hubs in the world for several years. In 2021, it was ranked third globally, serving 58.83 million passengers. The following year, it retained its position as the third busiest airport, with a 17.8% increase in passengers, totalling 69.3 million. DIA's ranking is even more impressive considering that, in 2019, it was only the 16th busiest airport in the world.

DIA's high ranking is due to several factors. Firstly, the US has the largest domestic travel market in the world, and DIA benefits from a large proportion of domestic travellers. In 2021, for example, international travel was restricted due to the pandemic, but strong domestic travel markets meant that US airports remained busy. DIA CEO Phillip A. Washington has also said that the airport has been "working hard" to expand its capacity, with projects such as the Gate Expansion project, which added 39 new concourse gates, increasing the airport's overall capacity by 30%.

Despite its high ranking, DIA has fallen in the rankings in recent years. In 2023, it was ranked as the sixth busiest airport in the world, although it retained its position as the third busiest in the US. That year, it served 77,837,917 passengers, a 12.3% increase on the previous year, making it DIA's busiest year on record. In 2024, it was still ranked as the third busiest airport in the US, but it had fallen to eighth place globally.

DIA's busiest day in 2021 was the final day of the late-summer holiday weekend

Denver International Airport (DIA) has been one of the most popular travel hubs in the world for several years. In 2021, it was the third busiest airport in the world in terms of total passenger traffic, serving 58.83 million passengers. The following year, in 2022, it maintained its position as the third busiest airport in the world, this time serving 69.3 million passengers, a 17.8% increase from 2021.

The busiest days of the year for air travel often tend to be right before or after holidays. In 2021, the busiest day for airline capacity globally was Friday, December 17, the Friday before the Christmas holidays. This trend is also observed in the US, where the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and the Sunday after, are usually the busiest travel days of the year.

Historically, August has been the month with the highest number of busy annual travel days, with the second Friday of August being the busiest day of the year for air travel six times in the past 15 years. In 2024, August 2nd was the busiest day ever for air travel, with almost 18 million airline seats scheduled for that day.

Denver International Airport has been working to accommodate the influx of travelers by expanding its concourses and building new security checkpoints and travel corridors. Despite this, it dropped to the sixth-busiest airport in the world in 2024.

DIA's ranking fell to sixth busiest in the world in 2023

Denver International Airport (DIA) has experienced a significant increase in passenger traffic in recent years, solidifying its position as one of the world's busiest aviation hubs. However, in 2023, DIA's ranking fell to the sixth busiest airport in the world, a drop of three places from its previous position.

According to preliminary data from Airports Council International, DIA recorded approximately 78 million passengers in 2023, marking a 12% increase from the previous year and a notable 13% rise since 2019. This surge in passenger numbers propelled DIA to new heights, achieving its busiest year on record and surpassing the 70-million-passenger milestone for the first time.

Despite this impressive growth, DIA was surpassed by airports in Dubai, London, Tokyo, and Dallas, with Atlanta claiming the top spot. The shift in rankings can be attributed to the post-pandemic recovery of travel demand across different regions. While DIA witnessed a substantial increase in passenger traffic, other airports experienced even more significant rebounds, leading to a change in the global rankings.

Prior to the pandemic, DIA had been steadily climbing the ranks of the world's busiest airports. In 2020, it secured the eighth position, climbing to third place in both 2021 and 2022. DIA's resilience and rapid recovery during the pandemic positioned it as one of the fastest-recovering airports, outpacing many international competitors.

To accommodate the growing passenger numbers, DIA has embarked on expansion projects, including the Gate Expansion project, which added 39 new concourse gates and increased overall airport capacity by 30%. Additionally, DIA has enhanced security measures with the construction of new checkpoints and travel corridors, and beautification efforts with the addition of art installations throughout the new gates.

Frequently asked questions