History of Denver International Airport in Timeline
Denver International Airport (DIA) is an international airport serving metropolitan Denver and the Front Range Urban Corridor. Covering 33,531 acres, it is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere and the second largest globally. Its Runway 16R/34L is the longest public use runway in North America and the seventh longest worldwide. Located 25 miles northeast of Downtown Denver, DIA replaced Stapleton International Airport and is closer to Aurora, where many airport-related services are situated.
1980: Search for New Airport Location Begins
Between 1980 and 1983, the Denver Regional Council of Governments initiated investigations to identify suitable locations for a new airport in the areas north and east of Denver.
1982: Jack Swigert Elected to the House of Representatives
In 1982, Jack Swigert, a Denver native and Apollo 13 astronaut, was elected to the United States House of Representatives. Sadly, he passed away from cancer before he could be sworn in.
1983: Federico Peña Elected Mayor, Proposes Stapleton Expansion
In 1983, Federico Peña was elected as the mayor of Denver. His campaign focused on a plan to expand Stapleton Airport onto the lands of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal.
1988: Adams County Approves Annexation for Airport Construction
In 1988, voters in Adams County gave their approval for the annexation of land, paving the way for the construction of the new airport.
September 1989: Groundbreaking Ceremony for the New Airport
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Denver airport took place in September 1989.
1989: Land Transfer from Adams County to Denver for Airport Construction
In 1989, a significant land transfer took place from Adams County to Denver to facilitate the construction of Denver International Airport. This transfer resulted in a 50% increase in Denver's size and the bifurcation of the western portion of Adams County.
September 1993: Millwright Strike Causes Further Delay
By September 1993, a millwright strike and other unforeseen circumstances resulted in the airport's opening being pushed back to May 1994.
October 29, 1993: Initial Planned Opening Date of DEN
The initial target date for the opening of DEN was set for October 29, 1993.
December 1993: First Delay Pushes Opening to December 1993
The opening of DEN was initially delayed to December 1993 due to construction setbacks.
1993: Commissioning of "Blue Mustang" Sculpture
In 1993, Denver International Airport commissioned the creation of the "Blue Mustang" sculpture by artist Luis Jiménez. The sculpture, intended as a symbol of the American West, later became a subject of both admiration and controversy.
March 1994: Second Delay Pushes Opening to March 1994
Further delays in construction led to the postponement of DEN's opening to March 1994.
April 1994: Baggage System Failure Leads to Cancellation of May Opening
In April 1994, during a press preview, the airport's new automated baggage system experienced a major malfunction. The failure was so significant that the planned May opening was canceled.
May 1994: Third Delay Pushes Opening to May 1994
The combined effects of the millwright strike and other delays caused the airport's opening to be rescheduled to May 1994.
February 28, 1995: DEN Officially Replaces Stapleton Airport
After multiple delays and exceeding its budget, DEN finally replaced Stapleton Airport on February 28, 1995.
1995: Denver International Airport Opened
In 1995, Denver International Airport (DEN) opened, serving 25 airlines with nonstop service to over 215 destinations.
1997: Duplicate Statue of Jack Swigert Placed at the U.S. Capitol
In 1997, a duplicate of the bronze statue of Jack Swigert, created by artist George Lundeen, was placed at the United States Capitol, honoring his contributions to space exploration and public service.
2000: DEN Consistently Ranked Among Top 20 Busiest Airports
Since 2000, DEN has consistently been recognized as one of the top 20 busiest airports worldwide.
September 2003: Sixth Runway Added to DEN
In September 2003, DEN expanded its runway capacity by adding a sixth runway, designated as 16R/34L.
2003: Blizzard Causes Airport Closure and Disruptions
In March 2003, a severe blizzard caused significant damage to DEN's terminal roof and led to the airport's closure for nearly two days, stranding thousands of travelers.
September 2005: Automated Baggage System Abandoned
After years of persistent maintenance issues, the automated baggage system at DEN was finally abandoned in September 2005.
January 2006: Southwest Airlines Begins Operations at DEN
In January 2006, Southwest Airlines, despite having avoided DEN for over a decade due to high fees, commenced operations at the airport.
2006: Tragic Death of Artist Luis Jiménez
In 2006, tragedy struck during the creation of the "Blue Mustang" sculpture when a part of the artwork fell on artist Luis Jiménez, severing an artery in his leg and resulting in his untimely death at the age of 65.
2006: Another Blizzard Leads to Airport Shutdown
On December 20-21, 2006, another blizzard hit DEN, resulting in over 20 inches of snow and forcing the airport to shut down for more than 45 hours.
February 11, 2008: Unveiling of "Blue Mustang" Sculpture
On February 11, 2008, the "Blue Mustang" sculpture, also known as "Blucifer," was unveiled at Denver International Airport. The 32-foot-tall, bright blue horse with glowing red eyes, created by artist Luis Jiménez, became a controversial and iconic landmark.
September 9, 2015: Campaign Launched to Expand Commercial Development at DEN
Mayor Michael Hancock initiated a political campaign on September 9, 2015, with the aim of significantly expanding commercial development at DEN, which was previously restricted by an agreement between Denver and Adams County.
November 2015: Voters Approve Changes to Intergovernmental Agreement
In November 2015, voters in both Denver and Adams County approved the proposed changes to the intergovernmental agreement, paving the way for increased commercial development at DEN.
November 19, 2015: Hotel Opens at DEN
On November 19, 2015, a hotel was added to the Denver International Airport, providing convenient accommodation options for travelers.
April 22, 2016: Commuter Rail Service Connects DEN to Downtown Denver
DEN gained a direct commuter rail connection to Denver Union Station on April 22, 2016, with the opening of the Regional Transportation District's (RTD) A Line.
2016: "Conspiracy Theories Uncovered" Exhibition Installed
In 2016, Denver International Airport decided to address the numerous conspiracy theories surrounding its art, architecture, and construction by installing a small exhibition titled "Conspiracy Theories Uncovered." The exhibition aimed to debunk some of the more popular theories and provide context for the airport's design choices.
2018: DIA Launches Humorous Marketing Campaign for Renovations
Alongside renovations started in 2018, DIA launched a marketing campaign featuring aliens humorously suggesting the construction of gargoyle breeding grounds and Freemason meeting halls. The campaign was a success, generating over $8 million in revenue.
2018: Temporary Regional Gates Constructed at Concourse A
In 2018, Denver International Airport constructed several ground-loaded gates at Concourse A to accommodate United Airlines' regional operations temporarily while a new regional wing was under construction at Concourse B.
2018: Major Gate Expansion Project Begins
In 2018, Denver International Airport embarked on a significant expansion project, adding a total of 39 new gates across Concourses A, B, and C. This expansion aimed to accommodate increasing passenger traffic and enhance the airport's capacity.
2018: Major Renovation Begins at Jeppesen Terminal
In 2018, a comprehensive interior renovation and reconfiguration project commenced at DEN's Jeppesen Terminal.
March 2019: Airport Unveils Animated Talking Gargoyle
In March 2019, Denver International Airport introduced an animated, talking gargoyle as a playful addition to one of its concourses. The gargoyle interacted with passengers and made lighthearted jokes about the airport's conspiracy theories.
April 2019: Denver International Airport and Roswell International Air Center Become "Supernatural Sister Airports"
In April 2019, Denver International Airport (DIA) and Roswell International Air Center (ROW) entered into an agreement to become "supernatural sister airports." This partnership aimed to foster collaboration in commerce, trade, tourism, and even strategies for extraterrestrial combat.
2019: Introduction and Removal of Animatronic Gargoyle "Gregoriden"
In 2019, Denver International Airport introduced an animatronic gargoyle named "Gregoriden," or "Greg" for short, which made playful remarks about conspiracy theories, including references to the Illuminati. However, the gargoyle was met with mixed reactions, with some finding it offensive or satanic. As a result, it was eventually removed and replaced with a more toned-down version.
2020: DEN Receives Award for Snow and Ice Removal
In 2020, DEN received the Balchen/Post award from the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) for its exceptional snow and ice removal operations during challenging winter conditions.
2020: First Phases of Terminal Renovation Completed
Initial phases of the terminal renovation, including updated check-in counters and visual enhancements, were finalized in late 2020.
2021: DEN Ranked Third Busiest Airport Worldwide
In 2021, DEN achieved the ranking of the third busiest airport globally and in the United States based on passenger traffic.
2021: Train System Failure Prompts Exploration of Alternatives
In 2021, Denver International Airport experienced a significant disruption due to a failure in its train system. This event prompted the airport to explore alternative transportation options to supplement the existing train system.
August 2022: Construction Begins on Additional Gate Expansion for Frontier Airlines
In August 2022, Denver International Airport commenced construction on an additional gate expansion project at Concourse A. This expansion would add 14 ground-loaded gates specifically designated for Frontier Airlines operations, temporarily increasing Frontier's gate count by four.
November 2022: Gate Expansion and Renovations Update
By November 2022, all new gates in A-West, B-West, B-East, and C-East at Denver International Airport were operational. New retail and restaurant spaces were gradually opening, with more planned through 2024. Artwork installations were ongoing and expected to continue until 2025.
2022: Concourse Operations and International Arrivals
As of late 2022, Denver International Airport's three midfield concourses (A, B, and C) had a combined total of 179 operational gates. Concourse A served as the primary point of entry for international arrivals without border pre-clearance, featuring four 3-jetway gates capable of accommodating large aircraft.
2022: DEN Maintained Third Busiest Airport Position
DEN continued to hold its position as the third busiest airport in the world and the United States in 2022.
2022: Committee Formed to Establish Flights to Africa
In 2022, a dedicated committee was formed with the goal of establishing direct flight routes between Denver International Airport and destinations in Africa. This initiative aimed to expand the airport's global connectivity and cater to growing travel demands.
December 2023: Construction Starts on "Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation"
In December 2023, Denver International Airport broke ground on a new "Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation" (CEEA) to promote diversity and inclusion within the aviation industry. The CEEA would provide resources and support to underserved communities and prepare individuals for careers in aviation.
2023: Private Sector Proposes Transportation Solutions
By 2023, several companies responded to Denver International Airport's request for information and presented their proposals for innovative passenger transportation solutions, aiming to improve the airport's overall transportation infrastructure.
2023: DEN's Passenger Traffic Exceeded 77.8 Million
In 2023, DEN served approximately 77.8 million passengers, representing a significant increase of over 12% from the previous year.
2023: Airport Announces Expansion Plan for Increased Passenger Capacity
In 2023, Denver International Airport unveiled plans for a significant expansion project aimed at enhancing passenger capacity. The plan included expanding the Jeppesen Terminal with additional check-in and TSA counters, as well as adding new concourses with 100 more gates.
2023: Preliminary Plans Unveiled for "Operation 2045" Expansion
In late 2023, Denver International Airport announced preliminary plans for "Operation 2045," an ambitious expansion project that would significantly increase the airport's capacity by adding four new concourses and 100 gates by the year 2045.
2023: Federal Funding Supports Airport Development
Recognizing the significance of a Denver air hub, the federal government contributed $500 million (equivalent to $1.1 billion in 2023) towards the new airport project.
2023: DEN's Construction Costs Exceed Initial Budget
The construction of DEN, which employed 11,000 workers, ended up costing $4.8 billion, exceeding the initial budget by nearly $2 billion (equivalent to $8.8 billion and $3.7 billion respectively as of 2023).
February 2024: New West Security Checkpoint Opens
In early February 2024, the first of two new security screening areas, West Security on Level 6, opened at DEN.
2024: Completion of Retail and Restaurant Openings
Denver International Airport anticipated the completion of the opening of all new retail and restaurant spaces within the expanded concourses by 2024, further enhancing the passenger experience.
2024: Anticipated Opening of the CEEA
Denver International Airport anticipated the opening of the "Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation" (CEEA) in late 2024 or early 2025. The CEEA would serve as a hub for promoting opportunities and fostering a more inclusive aviation workforce.
2024: Expected Completion of Expanded Concourse A Wing for Frontier Airlines
Denver International Airport projected the completion of the expanded Concourse A wing, designed for Frontier Airlines, by mid-2024. This expansion would provide a dedicated space for Frontier's operations and enhance passenger flow.
2025: Potential Early Opening of the CEEA
Denver International Airport acknowledged the possibility of an earlier opening for the "Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation" (CEEA) in early 2025, depending on the progress of construction and other factors.
2025: Finalization of Art Installations
Denver International Airport planned to finalize the installation of commissioned artwork throughout the expanded concourses by 2025, adding aesthetic appeal and a unique sense of place to the airport environment.
2025: East Security Checkpoint Expected to Open
The new East Security checkpoint, situated across the Great Hall from West Security, is projected to open in mid to late 2025.
2028: Terminal Renovation Expected Completion
The phased terminal renovation project at DEN is anticipated to reach completion by 2028.
2045: Target Completion Date for "Operation 2045" Expansion
Denver International Airport set 2045 as the target completion date for its "Operation 2045" expansion project. This expansion would position the airport to handle over 125 million passengers annually, accommodating future growth in air travel demand.
