International Passenger Traffic Increases Significantly for Second Straight Month at Denver International Airport

Denver International Airport Also Sees Increase in Origin and Destination Traffic

DENVER, CO — September 4, 2013 — For the second straight month, Denver International Airport (DIA) reported a double-digit increase in international passenger traffic compared to the same time period in 2012. DIA recorded a nearly 24 percent increase in international passenger traffic for July 2013 when compared to July of last year. The increase is due primarily to United’s two new nonstop flights between Denver and Tokyo, and Fort McMurray, Canada. Additionally, Icelandair increased capacity 50-percent, from four to six flights a week over July 2012.

In a positive sign for the health of Colorado’s economy, DIA also reported a four percent increase in origin and destination passenger traffic in July. Origin and destination travelers are passengers who begin or end their travel at DIA. The increase in origin and destination traffic shows that Coloradans are continuing to travel and the region is continuing to attract new visitors.

“The increase in both our origin and destination travelers and in international passenger traffic reflects the state’s growing influence in the global market and the continued health of Colorado’s economy,” said Denver’s Manager of Aviation Kim Day. “The growth in these two key areas spotlights the strength of Colorado’s travel industry and adds to our ability to attract new domestic and international flights.”

Overall, July passenger traffic at DIA declined by more than two percent compared to July 2012. A total of 4,959,077 passengers traveled through DIA in July 2013, compared to 5,089,501 a year ago. The year-to-date total decreased by 1.1 percent from 30,699,596 during the same period in 2012 to 30,355,401 passengers this year.

Also in July, mail, freight and express cargo operations remained steady, declining just .5 percent, from 40,067,745 pounds of cargo handled in 2012 to 39,850,954 pounds of cargo handled in 2013. There was a decrease in overall airport flight operations, from 56,624 in 2012 to 53,340 in 2013.

The complete July 2013 traffic report is available at: http://business.flydenver.com/stats/traffic/index.asp.

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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