Surging passenger traffic - DIA has become the third-busiest airport in the world this year - has resulted in those long security screening lines at peak times, including Friday mornings. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post) Parking, labor shortages among DIA’s woes He called Friday’s news conference late in a month that has laid bare significant challenges facing the airport.Īndy Cross, The Denver PostDENVER, CO – OCTOBER 22: Long security lines at Denver International Airport on October 22, 2021. Washington, who took the helm of DIA in July, succeeded Kim Day after her retirement ended a 13-year tenure. Travelers will face fewer walls blocking their paths, and Southwest and United airlines will move into reconfigured and expanded check-in spaces in early November. Washington said wait time estimates will be added back to DIA’s website soon, and the airport is working on signage that would tell people in line how long they can expect.Īnother reprieve is nearer: In the next week, construction walls in the terminal’s midsection will come down as the first phase of a massive renovation project ends. Until then, DIA officials advise travelers to arrive at least two hours before their flights’ boarding times to give themselves enough time. Top thing: by early next year, squeezing four more security lanes into the south checkpoint to make it move more quickly. “But I see light at the end of the tunnel.” “I think the holiday period will be tough … as we build out additional lanes in this airport,” he said. For one thing, they’d merely replaced lanes lost earlier to construction. TSA has agreed to staff them, he said, citing a recent meeting with the agency’s leader in Washington, D.C.īut that relief likely will take until early next year, Washington said, and will alleviate - but not eliminate - the long lines. He outlined plans that include working with the Transportation Security Administration to squeeze four temporary screening lanes into the 12 lanes at the south checkpoint. “The increased passenger volumes have had an impact on how this airport operates - and that is undeniable.” We’re doing everything that we possibly can to make sure restrooms are clean. We’re doing everything that we possibly can to make sure concessions are open.
“We’re doing everything that we possibly can to open up off-site parking lots.
“We are doing everything that we possibly can to reduce the wait times in security lines,” Washington said during a news conference. Digital Replica Edition Home Page Close MenuĪs long security lines snaked throughout the terminal below, Denver International Airport CEO Phil Washington said Friday that efforts were underway to temporarily add new screening lanes and deal with other challenges from a resurgence in passenger traffic.
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