DENVER — Dec. 17, 2013 — Denver International Airport (DIA) is expecting high passenger volume during the week of Christmas. The trend for the past couple of years has shown an average of one million passengers traveling through the airport from Tuesday through Monday of the holiday week.
“One way to ease the stress of traveling during the busy holiday season is to plan ahead, and let us help you,” said Denver Manager of Aviation, Kim Day. “To ensure a positive experience, we encourage DIA travelers who need extra assistance and those that have questions to call us in advance, or stop by one of our information booths. We are more than happy to assist those who need it.”
MEDIA NOTE: Daily passenger numbers for Christmas week will be available Tuesday, Dec.24. Friday, Dec. 20 is expected to be the busiest day this week with 171,694 passengers. On an average day, 145,000 passengers travel through DIA. Preliminary forecasts are showing Friday, Dec. 27 to be just as busy as Dec.20. The rest of this week’s forecast is: Thursday, Dec. 19: 164,467; Friday, Dec. 20: 171,694; Saturday, Dec. 21: 161,060; Sunday, Dec. 22: 156,964; Monday, Dec. 23: 163,300.
Packing
- Travelers may bring one carry-on bag and one personal item (purse, laptop, etc.) through security. Put medications and other required items in your carry-on bag.
- The Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) restrictions on taking liquids and gels through security remain in place. For more information on security screening and smart packing tips, visit www.TSA.gov.
- Leave holiday gifts unwrapped; TSA may open wrapped packages to check the contents.
- Know your airline’s checked bag policies and fees in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Place identification on items with luggage tags, business cards, contact information, etc.
Before You Leave for the Airport
- A good rule of thumb is to be inside the airport two hours prior to your flight departure time. This should allow for plenty of time to navigate flight check-in, security lines and travel to your gate.
- Before you leave the house, check with your airline to confirm that your flight is on time and check-in online if possible.
- Check parking availability at www.flydenver.com.
- Read the latest on construction impacts around the airport. Currently, restrictions are in place for oversized vehicles and vehicles pulling trailers on the east side of Jeppesen Terminal.
Parking
- For real-time parking information while you’re on the road, watch for electronic signs along inbound Peña Boulevard or call 303-DIA-PARK.
- The $12/day East and West Economy Lots, located next to the Jeppesen Terminal garages, usually fill up first. The $8/day Pikes Peak and Mt. Elbert shuttle lots are an alternative to economy and garage parking, but remember to allow an extra 30 minutes when using shuttle lots. The East and West Terminal Garages are rarely full during the holidays and are available for $3/hour or a $23/day maximum.
- Short-term parking is available in the East and West Terminal Garages for $4/hour.
Checking-in
- If you didn’t check in online before leaving home, save time with self-service check-in kiosks near airline counters.
- Even if you checked in online or at a kiosk, passengers checking bags still need to go to a ticket counter to hand off luggage to the airline.
Picking Up
- Check with your friend or family member’s airline, or visit www.flydenver.com, to confirm that the flight is on time before leaving for the airport.
- Curbside parking at Jeppesen Terminal is prohibited. Avoid the congestion on the passenger arrival level by parking in the East and West Terminal Garages for just $3/hour. With nearly 15,000 combined parking spaces, the garages provide convenient access to the Terminal and are generally open during the holiday travel season.
Please note the new cell phone waiting lot is Final Approach. Final Approach is located at 7684 N. Wenatchee St., approximately three miles west of the Jeppesen Terminal and directly north of the previous waiting area along Peña Boulevard. It can be easily accessed via eastbound Peña Boulevard to 75th avenue and northbound Gun Club Road; westbound Peña Boulevard to Wenatchee Street; or from East 78th Avenue. New signs are posted along all access routes. The previous waiting area is now permanently closed.
Parking or stopping along any airport roadway is illegal and dangerous and violators are subject to ticketing.
Traveling with Children or Persons 75-years-old or Older
- Traveling with children? Check out http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/traveling-children.
- If you are 75-years-old or older, you may leave on shoes and light jackets through security checkpoints. http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/screening-passengers-75-and-older.
Technology Tools
- Get flight status information, road conditions, parking lot availability, security wait times, airport maps, ground transportation and more at www.flydenver.com.
- DIA recommends passengers download the free FlySmart travel app for the Blackberry, iPhone and Android. FlySmart Airport is the only travel app that features content downloaded directly from www.flydenver.com.
- Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook.
- DIA offers free and premium Wi-Fi Internet access, phone charging stations and free global calling throughout the airport.
Simply Ask for Help
- DIA’s Hospitality Ambassadors – easy to spot in their iconic cowboy hats – and Guest Services staff are available throughout the terminal and concourses to provide directions and information.
- Passengers without Internet access can use these helpful airport telephone numbers:
303-DIA-PARK (342-7275) Select “option one” for information on parking availability in DIA lots
303-DIA-TIPS (342-8477) Information on security-screening wait times
303-342-4059 Information on DIA ground transportation
303-342-2000 DIA Customer Service
1-800-AIR-2-DEN DIA Customer Service for out-of-town travelers
303-342-4062 Lost and Found
Wintertainment
DIA is partnering with Denver Arts & Venues and the Denver Theatre District to present seasonal live “Wintertainment” in Jeppesen Terminal, featuring carolers and instrumental holiday music Dec. 14-24, and world music Dec. 26-30. Performances will take place 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day on Level 5.
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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