Strong Demand Leads to Record-Breaking Passenger Traffic at DEN

Volume in the first half of 2024 was 9.2 percent higher than the first half of 2023

 DENVER – Aug 2, 2024 – Today Denver International Airport (DEN) published passenger traffic statistics for the first half of 2024. For the period of January through June, 39,937,380 passengers transited DEN, a 9.2 percent increase over the 36,651,858 passengers during the same period in 2023. Each month of 2024 set a record, and June 2024 now ranks as the busiest month in DEN history with over 7.6 million passengers.

“Passenger growth is the focus of our Vision 100 strategic plan. It’s why we’re working hard to maintain what we have and grow our infrastructure simultaneously. It’s why as we expand our global connections, we must also empower our people to help us execute our ambitious vision for the future,” said DEN CEO Phil Washington. “I want to thank our airline and concessionaire partners for their investment in DEN and in our passengers, as well as the thousands of DEN employees who work so hard to make sure this airport runs as smoothly as possible each day.”

International passenger traffic in the first half of the year outpaced overall growth, surging by 17.2 percent as compared to the first half of 2023. DEN welcomed three new international carriers between January and June which directly contributed to this increase: Aer Lingus to Dublin, Ireland (DUB), Turkish Airlines to Istanbul, Turkey (IST) and Viva Aerobus to Monterrey, Mexico (MTY). In addition, United Airlines added flights to Winnipeg, Canada (YWG).

DEN unveiled several upgrades in the first half of the year designed to accommodate the continued increase in passenger traffic. This includes the opening of the new West Security Checkpoint in February, the introduction of new train cars to transport passengers to the concourses in June and new concessions including Tacos Tequila Whiskey, Elway’s Taproom, Peet’s Coffee, Novo Coffee and Salt and Grinder.

Looking to the second half of 2024, passenger traffic growth at DEN is expected to continue but at a slower rate than in the first half of the year. Based on current scheduled capacity for the second half of 2024, DEN estimates 2024 annual passenger volume to be between 81 to 82 million passengers. Several international airlines have announced new or expanded service through the upcoming winter season including new flights by Aeromexico to Monterrey (MTY) beginning in late December and an extension to year-round service by Air France to Paris (CDG) and Icelandair to Reykjavik (KEF).

According to preliminary data available from Airports Council International through the first five months of 2024, DEN ranks as the third-busiest airport in the U.S., behind Atlanta (ATL) and Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW), and the sixth-busiest airport in the world.

Cargo volume in the first half of 2024 increased by 8.1 percent as compared to the first half of 2023. The increase is led by all-cargo carriers which transported 10.4 percent more volume while passenger carriers recorded an increase of 1.9 percent.

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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