Denver Airport: Exploring The Many Gates And Terminals

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. As of 2023, the airport is the third busiest in the United States, with a record 6.7 million passengers passing through in June of that year. The airport has three concourses (Gates A, B, and C) beyond security screening, with a total of 89 gates. However, the airport has plans to expand and add 100 more gates by 2045 to accommodate the increasing number of travellers. This expansion will include four new walkable concourses, with 25 gates each, branching off the Jeppesen Terminal.

Denver Airport's future expansion plans

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the third-busiest airport in the nation and has plans to expand its facilities to accommodate the growing number of travellers passing through each year. The airport is currently undergoing its $1.3 billion "Great Hall Completion Phase", which will redevelop the airport's facilities and improve the overall passenger experience.

The airport's Vision 100 plan, which was completed in October 2021, included expanding check-in spaces on Levels 5 and 6 and renovating 160,000 square feet of space across the concourse. The airport also upgraded the concourse for United Airlines, Southwest, and Frontier passengers, providing new ticketing areas and automated bag drops.

The next phase of the project focuses on security checkpoints, with an extra security checkpoint set to open in early 2024, which will help minimise wait times for travellers. The west checkpoint construction will cause the closure of another checkpoint, but new technology, including remote luggage scanners, will help keep wait times the same or even quicker. This phase will also see the addition of a 40-foot-long triple escalator, connecting screened passengers between the checkpoints at Level 6 and the gates on Level 4.

The final phase of the Great Hall Completion Phase will run through the next five years, offering a complete revamp of the airport and its facilities. This will include enhancing safety across checkpoints, adding security lanes, and redeveloping ticketing areas to provide airlines with additional space. The seating areas, restrooms, flooring, lighting, and elevators will also be improved, with updated electronics estimated to save the airport up to $250 million in maintenance costs over the next decade. The airport remains on track to finish the final phase by summer 2028.

In addition to the Great Hall Project, DEN has also announced Operation 2045, which includes plans for four new concourses consisting of 25 gates each, resulting in 100 new gates overall. The new concourses will be added to Concourse C, with two on the north side and two on the south side, and they will be walkable from the main concourse. The airport is expecting to see 120 million passengers per year by 2045 and is making the necessary expansions to accommodate this growth.

The airport's busiest ranking

Denver International Airport (DEN) is currently the third-busiest airport in the world for passenger traffic. In 2022, the airport saw 69.3 million passengers, an increase of 17.8% from 2021. This number is projected to reach 78 million in 2024 and 100 million by 2027, five years ahead of schedule.

The airport's ranking is impressive, especially considering that in 2019, it was only the 16th-busiest airport worldwide and the fifth-busiest in the US. DEN was also one of the fastest airports to recover from the pandemic slowdown.

To accommodate the increasing number of travellers, DEN has plans to expand with 100 new gates by 2045. This will include four new walkable concourses, each with 25 gates, branching off the Jeppesen Terminal. The airport's capacity will increase by 100%, allowing it to handle 120 million passengers annually.

The expansion project, named Operation 2045, will also include improvements to the existing concourses, a new processing centre, additional ticket counters, security areas, and a relocated rental car facility. DEN's efficient runway layout, with six non-intersecting runways, will also allow for six additional runways in the future, bringing the total to 12.

With its ongoing expansion and efficient management, DEN is well-prepared to handle the growing demand for air travel and maintain its position as one of the world's busiest and best-connected airports.

The airport's unique terminal design

Denver International Airport's unique terminal design is centred around the Jeppesen Terminal, which is the airport's only terminal. The terminal is named after Elrey Jeppesen, a pioneer of aviation safety. It covers 2.6 million square feet of space and includes essential airport facilities such as passenger ticketing, baggage claim, ground transportation, international arrivals, shops, restaurants, and office areas. The terminal also houses the TSA security checkpoints.

The Jeppesen Terminal stands out for its internationally recognised peaked roof, designed by Fentress Bradburn Architects. The design is inspired by the snow-capped mountains of Colorado and evokes the state's early history when Native American teepees dotted the Great Plains. The terminal's roof spans 240,000 square feet, covering the vast space below.

The terminal is divided into east and west wings for arrivals and departures, with even-numbered doors on the west side and odd-numbered doors on the east side. Level 4 is used for passenger pick-up, located one level below the baggage claims. Level 5 is where passengers will find the South Security Checkpoint, baggage carousels, taxi cabs, ride-share services, and various shuttle services. Level 6 is where airline check-in, baggage check, and access to the West security screening areas are located, marking the beginning of many travellers' journeys through the airport.

The Jeppesen Terminal is connected to three airside concourses: A, B, and C. These concourses offer a total of 89 gates, with Concourse C being the largest and featuring an expansion of eight additional gates. The concourses are accessible via a passenger bridge or an underground transit system. The underground transit system, known as the Train to the Gates, takes less than ten minutes to travel from the terminal to the C Gates. Each concourse features restaurants, shops, and essential amenities like restrooms, pet relief areas, and nursing rooms.

Denver International Airport's terminal design is unique due to its large expanse, efficient layout, and iconic roof structure that pays homage to the region's history and geography. The Jeppesen Terminal serves as a central hub, efficiently connecting passengers to various concourses and services within the airport.

The airport's history of construction

Denver International Airport (DIA) has a long and complex history that began with the construction of Denver Municipal Airport in 1929. Over time, this morphed into Stapleton International Airport, which was eventually demolished to make way for the airport we know today.

From 1980 to 1983, the Denver Regional Council of Governments investigated potential areas for a new airport north and east of the city. In 1983, Federico Peña was elected mayor of Denver, campaigning for a plan to expand Stapleton Airport onto Rocky Mountain Arsenal lands. This plan was broadly supported, but leaders in nearby Adams County threatened legal action over noise concerns.

Peña eventually struck a deal: Adams County leaders would encourage citizens to back a plan for Denver to annex 54 square miles of the county to build a new airport away from established neighbourhoods. In 1988, Adams County voters approved the annexation, and the federal government contributed $500 million towards the new airport, with the rest financed by bonds to be repaid with fees on airlines. Construction began in September 1989.

The project was then inherited by Mayor Wellington Webb, and by September 1993, delays due to a millwright strike and other issues had pushed the opening day back by 16 months. The new airport finally replaced Stapleton on February 28, 1995, at a cost of $4.8 billion, nearly $2 billion over budget.

Since its opening, the airport has undergone numerous expansions and renovations to accommodate increasing passenger numbers. In 2018, a major interior renovation and reconfiguration of the Jeppesen Terminal began, with plans to relocate TSA security checkpoints and update airline ticket counters and check-in areas. This project is expected to be completed by 2028.

Additionally, the airport has expanded its gates with 12 new gates added to Concourse A, 11 to Concourse B, and 16 to Concourse C, for a total of 39 new gates. In 2022, the airport broke ground on another gate expansion project, adding 14 ground-loaded/tarmac gates to the east end of Concourse A for Frontier Airlines operations.

Looking to the future, the airport has announced plans for 'Operation 2045', which includes the addition of four new concourses with 100 more gates to accommodate an expected 120 million annual travellers.

The airport's busiest periods

Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the busiest airports in the world, serving as the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado. It is currently the third busiest airport in the US and is expected to welcome 100 million passengers by 2027, five years ahead of schedule. By 2045, the airport anticipates 120 million annual travellers.

The busiest times at DEN's security checkpoints are 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. However, due to an increased number of flights departing after 8 p.m., travellers can expect large numbers of people being screened during the evening hours as well. The busiest days at DEN during the Thanksgiving travel period are typically the Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the Sunday after. On Tuesday, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) projects it will screen approximately 76,000 people, 80,000 on Wednesday, and 86,000 on Sunday, making it the busiest day of the holiday travel period.

To accommodate the growing number of travellers, DEN has undergone significant expansion and improvement projects. The airport recently completed its Gate Expansion Program, which added 39 new gates across all three concourses (A, B, and C). Additionally, the West Security Checkpoint will open on February 6, increasing the number of passengers processed per hour. This will be followed by the construction of the new East Security Checkpoint, expected to last 18 to 24 months. These checkpoints are part of the airport's $2.1 billion terminal expansion project, set to be completed by 2028.

DEN is also planning Operation 2045, which includes adding four new concourses with 25 gates each, resulting in 100 new gates. These concourses will be walkable from the main concourse, improving accessibility for travellers. The airport is constantly striving to enhance its facilities and efficiency to meet the demands of the increasing passenger volume.

Frequently asked questions