Air
Denver International Airport (DIA), one of the world's most modern and efficient airports, is owned and operated by the City and County of Denver. Located 23 miles northeast of downtown Denver, DIA is the primary airport serving the Metro Denver region and Colorado.
The $4.2 billion facility encompasses 53 square miles, making DIA twice the size of Manhattan Island. Opened in 1995, DIA is the only major airport built in the U.S. in the past 25 years.
The number of passengers traveling through DIA increased from 49,863,352 passengers in 2007 to a record 51.2 million in 2008, currently ranking the airport as the fifth-busiest in North America and the 10th-busiest in the world based on total passenger counts.
At DIA,16 commercial carriers provide nonstop service to more than 140 domestic and international destinations. Specifically, DIA offers nonstop service to 19 international locations including destinations in Europe, Canada, Mexico, and Central America.
DIA is a national leader in sustainability efforts and was airport in the country awarded membership in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Performance Track program, which recognizes facilities that exceed regulatory requirements and strive to protect public health and the environment.
The airport opened a two-megawatt solar system in 2008 that generates 3.5 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of clean electricity annually and is building a second solar development to supply all of the energy needed to operate DIA's fuel storage and distribution center.
Passenger Growth Spurs Expansion
DIA handled a record 51,245,334 passengers in 2008, a 2.8 percent increase over the previous year. Ongoing passenger growth has led to a review of DIA's master plan.
Considering that projected passenger traffic is expected to expand to 62 million by 2020, DIA is preparing for expansion that will likely include a seventh runway, expansion of concourses, public parking, and rental-car facilities, and upgrades to the baggage system. DIA is also planning for integration of passenger rail to and from the airport as part of FasTracks, the region's $6.5 billion mass transit project.
Additional information on DIA can be found in the Download Documents, at DIA's online Business Center, or in the Wing Tips Newsletter.