Owais Crawford
Denver International Airport is huge. At 33,531 acres (52.4 sq mi; 135.7 km2), it is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area and the second-largest on Earth. It is bigger than some nearby cities, multiple big cities, and even some countries. It's larger than the five smallest countries combined. So, yes, it is bigger than Portland International Airport, which covers 3,000 acres (4.7 sq mi; 12.1 km2).
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What You'll Learn
- Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area
- DEN is one of the busiest airports in the world
- The airport is 25 miles from Downtown Denver
- Denver International Airport has an underground complex
- The airport is recognised for its outstanding snow and ice removal operation
Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area
Denver International Airport (DEN), often referred to by locals as DIA, is an international airport in the Western United States, primarily serving metropolitan Denver, Colorado, as well as the greater Front Range Urban Corridor. At 33,531 acres (52.4 sq mi; 135.7 km2), it is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area and the second-largest on Earth, behind King Fahd International Airport.
The airport is a major hub for United Airlines and the largest operating base for both Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines. With over 40,000 employees, the airport is the largest employer in Colorado. The airport is located on the western edge of the Great Plains and within sight of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.
In 2022, DEN was the third busiest airport in the world and the third busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic. In 2023, it was the sixth busiest airport in the world and the third busiest in the United States, serving around 77.8 million passengers, a 12% increase from the previous year. DEN has been among the top 20 busiest airports in the world every year since 2000. In 2024, Denver International Airport set an all-time passenger record, with 82,358,744 passengers served, a 5.8% increase over the previous year.
The land on which the airport sits was transferred from Adams County to Denver after a 1989 vote, increasing the city's size by 50% and bifurcating the western portion of the neighbouring county. The airport is 25 miles (40 km) driving distance northeast of Downtown Denver, 19 miles (31 km) farther than the former Stapleton International Airport which DEN replaced.
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DEN is one of the busiest airports in the world
Denver International Airport (DEN) is one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2023, it was ranked the sixth busiest airport in the world and the third busiest in the United States, serving around 77.8 million passengers, a 12% increase from 2022. DEN has been among the top 20 busiest airports in the world every year since 2000, and in 2024, it set a new record, serving 82,358,744 passengers.
Denver has traditionally been home to one of the busiest airports in the United States due to its mid-continent location, which is ideal for an airline hub. Several airlines, including United Airlines and Continental Airlines, previously had hubs at the former Stapleton International Airport, making it the sixth-busiest airport in the country by the 1960s. However, Stapleton had limited capacity for expansion, which often led to long delays and nationwide travel disruptions during bad weather.
DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $36 billion for the region annually and employing over 40,000 people, making it the largest employer in the state. The airport covers 33,531 acres (52.4 sq mi or 135.7 km2), making it the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere and the second-largest on Earth by land area. It is located 25 miles (40 km) northeast of Downtown Denver, which is 19 miles (31 km) farther than the former Stapleton International Airport it replaced.
DEN's busiest year on record was in 2023, when it served more than 70 million passengers for the first time. The airport's rapid rise in global rankings in recent years is attributed to the early recovery of US domestic travel demand following the COVID-19 pandemic and the opening of new gates by DEN's largest airline partners. DEN's highest ranking was achieved in 2021 and 2022 when it was the third busiest airport in the world and the US.
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The airport is 25 miles from Downtown Denver
The Denver International Airport (DEN) is located about 25 miles (40 km) from Downtown Denver. It is one of the busiest airports in the world, ranking third in 2021, 2022, and 2024. DEN has been among the top 20 busiest airports globally every year since 2000.
The airport covers 33,531 acres (52.4 sq mi; 135.7 km2), making it the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area and the second-largest on Earth. Its runway, 16R/34L, is 16,000 feet (3.03 mi; 4.88 km) long, the longest public-use runway in North America and the seventh-longest globally.
The distance from Downtown Denver to DEN is about 19 miles (31 km) farther than the former Stapleton International Airport, which DEN replaced. The airport is actually closer to Aurora, and many airport-related services, such as hotels, are located there. The land occupied by DEN is approximately 52.4 square miles (136 km2; 33,500 acres), which is the largest commercial airport land area in North America.
There are various transportation options available for travelling between Downtown Denver and the airport, including taxis, Super Shuttles, and the RTD Denver Bus (Sky Ride Bus). The A Line commuter rail service also connects DEN to Denver Union Station.
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Denver International Airport has an underground complex
Denver International Airport, also known as DIA, is the sixth busiest airport in the world and the third busiest in the United States, serving around 77.8 million passengers in 2023. The airport is located 23-25 miles from downtown Denver, and its construction was completed in 1995.
Since its construction, there have been numerous conspiracy theories surrounding the airport, including the existence of an underground complex. The airport acknowledges the presence of several subterranean levels beneath the main terminal, including tunnels for passenger trains and a long-defunct automated baggage system. However, they insist that these tunnels only extend to the airport's perimeter, less than two miles away.
One of the most popular theories suggests that there are miles of underground tunnels, secret buildings, and bunkers beneath the airport. Some even claim that there is a 90-mile-long tunnel connecting the airport to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). This tunnel, however, is highly unlikely given the significant cost and time constraints involved in such a construction project.
The theories often involve secret societies, such as the Freemasons, the Illuminati, or the New World Order, who are believed to have built the airport and continue to control it. Believers point to various pieces of "evidence," such as a dedication capstone with a Freemason symbol and a time capsule, to support their claims.
The artwork and architecture of the airport also fuel conspiracy theories. For example, the murals by Leo Tanguma, titled "Children of the World Dream of Peace" and "In Peace and Harmony with Nature", are believed to foretell the airport's hidden purpose, with themes of death, genocide, and an apocalyptic single-government world. Additionally, the presence of grinning gargoyles in the baggage claim areas, which are traditionally meant to protect against evil spirits, has been interpreted in different ways by visitors.
While many of these theories remain speculative, they continue to capture the imagination of people, creating a sense of excitement and mystery around Denver International Airport.
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The airport is recognised for its outstanding snow and ice removal operation
Denver International Airport (DEN) is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area. The airport is 23 miles from downtown Denver and covers 52.4 square miles of land. DEN has been recognised for its outstanding snow and ice removal operation, receiving the prestigious Balchen/Post award in 2020.
The airport's response to snowy conditions is impressive, with a dedicated snow-fighting team that has been finetuning its response for over 25 years. Each new storm brings an opportunity for improvement, and the airport's current snow plan incorporates lessons learned from past blizzards and snowy winters. DEN has invested heavily in new snow-removal equipment, including multi-functional units that can quickly and efficiently remove snow from runways and meet traction requirements for plane landings.
The snow-removal programme at DEN uses a blend of cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art equipment to maintain efficient and safe airfield functionality. The airport has nearly 600 trained snow removal personnel and approximately 324 pieces of airside snow removal equipment. The equipment includes blowers, brooms, blades, plows, runway sanders, snow melters, and chemical trucks.
DEN also utilises a customised version of its de-icing manager software, which helps predict the best time for aircraft to push back from the gate, taxi to the de-icing pads, undergo de-icing, and taxi to the runway for takeoff. The airport treats runway and taxiway surfaces with potassium acetate and uses sand to aid traction when temperatures drop below freezing. With a seasonal average of 55 inches of snow per year, DEN's outstanding snow and ice removal operation ensures safe and efficient airport operations during challenging winter conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Denver International Airport is larger than Portland's airport. Covering 52.4 square miles, it is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area and the second-largest on Earth.
Denver International Airport covers more land than any other airport in North America. It is nearly twice the size of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare, Los Angeles, and Dallas Fort Worth airports combined.
Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2023, it was the sixth busiest airport in the world and the third busiest in the United States, serving around 77.8 million passengers.
