Denver International Airport and United Airlines Celebrate 5 Years of Nonstop Service to Tokyo

DENVER – June 11, 2018 – Today, Denver International Airport (DEN) and United celebrated the airline’s fifth anniversary offering nonstop service to Tokyo. United Airlines became the first airline in history to operate transpacific service from Denver with the inaugural flight from DEN to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport (NRT) on June 10, 2013.

“Securing a nonstop connection to Asia was truly a game-changer for Denver,” said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock. “United’s service to Tokyo raised awareness of Denver in the fastest growing region of the world, and has expanded our economy through increased trade, foreign investment and visitation. This flight remains one of the proudest accomplishments of my administration and is a reflection of the strong partnership we have with United Airlines.”

Since the service was inaugurated five years ago, United Airlines has operated more than 3,600 flights on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner between Denver and Tokyo/Narita. As a result, demand for travel between Denver and Tokyo has increased by more than 60 percent, and the flight has also stimulated growth to large markets across Asia, most notably Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok and Manila.

“I’m proud that United, in partnership with Denver International Airport and business and civic leaders in Denver, was able to begin Denver’s first nonstop service to Asia five years ago with the launch of our Denver to Tokyo/Narita route,” said Steve Jaquith, Vice President of United’s Denver Hub. “United has flown more than 650,000 customers on this route and we look forward to continuing to connect the Rocky Mountain region to Tokyo and beyond.”

Japan has the largest commercial relationship with Colorado of any Asian country. In 2017, Japan ranked as Colorado’s fourth largest export market for merchandise goods and the country is one of the largest investors in the state, supporting over 7,000 jobs. Not only does the flight facilitate business between Colorado and Japan, but it provides convenient access to markets across Asia. United’s joint venture partner All Nippon Airways, also a member of the Star Alliance, operates a robust hub network at Tokyo/Narita that provides connections to dozens of cities in the broader Asia Pacific region.

“United’s flight to Tokyo not only provided a great new nonstop option for travelers departing from Denver but it also opened up a brand-new gateway into the United States from Asia,” said DEN CEO Kim Day. “The convenience of Denver as a connecting hub has expanded opportunities for travelers from Asia to the Rocky Mountain West and to other destinations that are a part of United’s growing DEN network.”

Through a study commissioned by Denver International Airport, companies in Denver and throughout Colorado hail the service for expanding business opportunities in Japan and across Asia, resulting in increased productivity and both sales and employment growth. For Japanese companies, Colorado represents a strategic market for investments, partnerships, access to innovative technologies, and for many, a new and growing market for customers in the middle of the United States. Stories that showcase the direct economic benefits this flight has generated are highlighted in this special video: https://youtu.be/Hepnk6oUuFo.

The flight departs Denver daily at 12:35 p.m. and arrives at Tokyo-Narita at 3:30 p.m. the next day. For the return, it departs Tokyo at 5:25 p.m. and arrives in Denver at 1:15 p.m. the same day. (All times are local.)

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $36 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.

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