Jazmin Li
Denver International Airport (DIA) is one of the busiest airports in the world, and passengers often experience long lines and flight turbulence. The airport has also made headlines for racial profiling and firearm incidents. However, the term so bad in reference to Denver Airport may be associated with its reputation for poor air quality, which is caused by a combination of industrial pollution, car exhaust, dust, and other factors, resulting in a brown cloud that has been observed since the 1980s. Wildfires and the unique wind patterns in the region also contribute to the poor air quality in Denver.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Air Quality | Poor |
| Reasons for Poor Air Quality | Wildfires, industrial pollution, car exhaust, dust, wood burning |
| Turbulence | High |
| Reasons for High Turbulence | Mountain waves, microbursts |
| Security Lines | Long |
| Reasons for Long Security Lines | TSA staffing issues |
| Racial Bias | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
Denver International Airport is the third-busiest airport in the world
Denver International Airport (DIA) is the third busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic. This ranking, which was reported in 2021, is due in part to Denver being a domestic hub for three airlines, while other airports experienced reduced traffic due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
While DIA is one of the busiest airports in the world, it is also known for its turbulent flying conditions. Colorado's Rocky Mountains are among the worst places for turbulence in the United States, and flights to and from DIA are often affected. Mountain waves, caused by high-speed winds passing over the mountains, create waves of violent, powerful air that can toss planes around. This turbulence can be frightening for passengers and, in some cases, even cause damage to the aircraft.
In addition to mountain waves, another phenomenon called microbursts can occur near the Rocky Mountains. These are localized columns of sinking air that cause downdrafts and can be dangerous for aircraft, especially when they occur during thunderstorms or severe rain showers.
The challenging flying conditions in Denver are not limited to turbulence. The city's high altitude means that temperature fluctuations are more frequent, requiring combustion engines to work harder and creating more emissions. This can further contribute to poor air quality in the region.
Despite the challenges posed by its location, Denver International Airport remains a critical transportation hub, facilitating travel to and from the Rocky Mountain region and beyond.
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Turbulence is common due to mountain waves
Turbulence is a common occurrence when flying in and out of Denver International Airport (DIA). Colorado's Rocky Mountains are among the worst places for turbulence in the country, and the mountains are the reason for this turbulence. The phenomenon is known as mountain waves or mountain wave turbulence.
Mountain waves are formed when high-speed winds pass over mountains, creating waves of violent and powerful air that can toss an airplane around. The United States Federal Aviation Association (FAA) describes the occurrence of mountain waves as follows: "When the wind speed is above about 25 knots and flowing perpendicular to the ridgelines, the airflow can form waves, much like water flowing over rocks in a bed. The waves form downwind from the ridgeline and will be composed of very strong up and downdrafts, plus dangerous rotor action under the crests of the waves."
Mountain waves can sometimes be seen if there is enough moisture in the air to form lenticular clouds. In addition to mountain waves, microbursts can also occur, which are localized columns of sinking air that cause downdrafts and can be wet or dry. These weather phenomena can cause serious injury to passengers and damage to aircraft.
Flights are often diverted from DIA due to extreme and dangerous turbulence. Dealing with turbulence can be challenging for passengers and cause fear and anxiety. However, it is important to remember that airplanes are built to handle turbulence and can withstand rough conditions.
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The airport has a history of racial profiling
Denver International Airport has been at the centre of several controversies involving racial profiling. In one instance, a biracial family was questioned by armed police after a Southwest Airlines employee wrongly suspected human trafficking. Mary MacCarthy, who is white, was travelling with her 10-year-old biracial daughter, Moira, in October 2021. They were the last to board the plane, and Ms. MacCarthy had asked other passengers to move so they could sit together. A crew member found this behaviour suspicious and reported it to the police. The police questioned Ms. MacCarthy and her daughter separately, and the former explained that she always carries a copy of her daughter's birth certificate when travelling because people make assumptions about mixed-race families. Ms. MacCarthy further stated that her daughter was sobbing throughout the incident, and that she was nervous because of previous negative experiences with the police. The family is now requesting an apology from Southwest Airlines and is working with an attorney to address the incident of racial profiling.
In another instance of racial profiling at Denver International Airport, a Southwest Airlines crew member reported a possible human-trafficking incident involving a biracial family. The family, consisting of a white mother and her 10-year-old biracial daughter, was surrounded by armed police officers and questioned separately. The mother, Mary MacCarthy, explained that they were travelling to her brother's funeral and that she had asked other passengers to move so they could sit together. She believed that the suspicion was based on a "racist assumption" about mixed-race families. The family is requesting an apology from the airline and is calling for an end to racial profiling in airport security.
These incidents highlight a pattern of racial profiling at Denver International Airport, where biracial families have been targeted based on biased assumptions and stereotypes. Such practices can have traumatic consequences, as evident in the experiences of Ms. MacCarthy and her daughter, and underscore the need for cultural competency training and anti-bias education in airport security protocols.
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Long security lines due to TSA staffing issues
Denver International Airport (DIA) has been ranked as the third busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic. This ranking is largely due to being a domestic hub for three airlines, while other coastal and European airports have experienced slower rebounds in international travel. The high volume of passengers at DIA has resulted in long security lines, which have been attributed to TSA staffing issues.
Despite lower passenger numbers compared to pre-pandemic years, travellers have experienced lengthy wait times at security checkpoints, with recommendations to arrive at the airport two hours before boarding time to account for the delays. These long lines are particularly noticeable during peak travel times, and passengers have shared strategies to minimise wait times, such as avoiding mornings and planning accordingly.
The TSA has faced scrutiny for the lengthy security process, which involves undressing and unpacking bags, leading to a time-consuming and frustrating experience for travellers. However, this thorough security theatre has yielded results, with a record number of firearms intercepted at DIA in 2021.
The issue of long security lines at DIA is primarily attributed to TSA staffing shortages. While there have been concerns about vaccine mandates causing staff shortages, this impact is minimal, with only a small percentage of the workforce quitting over vaccination requirements. Instead, the primary challenge is managing the high volume of passengers, especially during peak periods, with the available TSA resources.
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Denver's air quality is poor, affecting the airport
Denver's air quality is poor, and it affects the airport. The city's high altitude and proximity to ski resorts and mountains might evoke thoughts of clean, fresh air. However, these factors contribute to poor air quality. According to the University of Colorado School of Public Health, as wind velocity increases while crossing the Colorado mountain ranges, it hits the drought-stricken valleys, kicking up soil and dust. Denver's altitude also causes more temperature fluctuation, trapping pollutants close to the ground and requiring combustion engines to work harder, creating more emissions.
The city's poor air quality dates back to the 1880s, when a newspaper article reported that "bad air was hurting the city's reputation." Denver has struggled to shake its "'brown cloud' reputation since the 1980s. While there have been some improvements over the years, progress has slowed significantly. Data from 2020 showed that Denver met the World Health Organization's target figure of 10 µg/m³ or less for most of the year, with an annual average of 8.7 µg/m³. However, certain months returned "Moderate" readings, coinciding with the wildfire season, a significant contributor to Denver's air pollution.
Wildfires in Colorado and neighbouring states release toxic pollutants, creating smog that affects respiratory health and overall well-being. Denver is also home to several industrial plants, including the Suncor oil refinery, considered one of the largest sources of air pollution in the state. Additionally, the Comanche Generating Station, with its coal-fired generators, emits millions of tons of carbon dioxide and other harmful substances into the atmosphere annually.
Denver International Airport (DIA) is also a significant contributor to the city's poor air quality. Emissions from ground operations and aircraft movements produce ozone precursor pollutants, volatile organic compounds, and nitrogen oxides. These emissions negatively impact the region's air quality and the health of residents, particularly those living in adjacent and downwind areas. The airport's pollution distribution model shows that residential and industrial areas located in the east and southeast of the airport are most affected by the pollutant distribution.
The unique wind patterns in Denver further exacerbate the issue. Strong winds from the west and northwest impact the development phases of the airport city, located west and northwest of the airport. Denver's air pollution affects not only the airport's operations but also the health and well-being of the surrounding communities. It influences respiratory and heart-related hospital admissions, with infants, the elderly, and even young adults experiencing the negative consequences of pollution fluctuations.
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Frequently asked questions
Denver's high altitude and proximity to ski towns and snow-capped mountains might evoke thoughts of clean air, but these factors actually contribute to the city's poor air quality. Wind velocity increases as it crosses over Colorado mountain ranges, hitting drought-stricken valleys and kicking up soil. Denver's high altitude also causes more temperature fluctuation, trapping pollutants close to the ground and leading to increased emissions from combustion engines.
The presence of mountain ranges near Denver creates conditions for mountain wave turbulence, which occurs when high-speed winds pass over mountains, creating waves of violent and powerful air that can cause turbulence. This turbulence can be dangerous and lead to emergency landings, injured passengers, and aircraft damage.
Denver International Airport (DIA) has faced issues such as long security lines, which have been attributed to TSA staffing shortages. The airport has also been in the top 10 for the number of firearms detected, with a concerning number of passengers attempting to carry firearms onto their flights. Additionally, there have been reports of racial profiling, with a biracial family being wrongfully suspected of human trafficking by an airline attendant, leading to police involvement.
