Ground was broken in September 1989. Size:26.97 square miles (69.6 square kilometers). Size: 7.1 square miles (18.4 square kilometers), Stay nearby:Embassy Suites Nashville - Airport. Denver Airport [61] For the airport's 20th birthday, plans to decorate the airport property with crop circles proved to be too expensive, so was not implemented. Reporters were treated to scenes of clothing and other personal effects scattered beneath the system's tracks and carts that would often toss the luggage right off the system. For example, in early 2023, the airport is hosting an Ed Dwight sculpture on Level 6, an exhibit of landscapes by Meghan Wilbar at the AOB Lobby, and a photography display from Jeremy Janus at the Y-Junction gallery. The airport has 17 mechanical rooms, over 1 million pounds of ducts and 40 miles of piping. Wyndham Garden Romulus Detroit Metro Airport, Hilton Garden Inn Sacramento Airport Natomas, The Rose Chicago, Tapestry Collection By Hilton, Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport, Ramada by Wyndham Houston Intercontinental Airport East, Orangewood Inn & Suites Kansas City Airport, Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, Home2 Suites by Hilton Fort Myers Airport. Covering an area of 53 square miles, the Denver airport is the largest airport in the U.S. and the second-largest in the world. However, thanks to its long runways, Denver can even handle fully-loaded Airbus A380s and Boeing 747s despite its altitude and associated atmospheric challenges. Size: 7.8 square miles (20.2 square kilometers), Stay nearby:Hyatt Place Raleigh-Durham Airport. At 53 mi2, the airport is twice the size of Manhattan Island. Reasons Why The Mysterious Denver Airport Is Like Detroit may not yet have recovered to what it was during its heyday, but it's still a highly trafficked destination, especially for air travelers connecting to international destinations. The roof of the airport is one of the most instantly recognizable aspects of Denver Airport. Covering an area of 53 square miles, the Denver airport is the largest airport in the U.S. and the second-largest in the world. Last month, the Airports Council International released a preliminary list of the busiest airports in 2021. But there are things about Denver International that are less well known here are our top 10. Of the worlds 10 busiest airports in 2021, eight were in the U.S. and two were in China. When both the ongoing terminal and concourse projects are completed, the airport will be able to handle upwards of 100 million passengers per year. Owned by the City and County of Denver, the Denver Department of Aviation-operated airport handled 69 million passengers in 2019. Much of the space in this large airport is simply not being used anymore. Notwithstanding a tough 2020, Denver Airport's Kim Day is cautiously optimistic about the airport's short to medium term. The land was transferred from Adams County to Denver after a 1989 vote,[39] increasing the city's size by 50 percent and bifurcating the western portion of the neighboring county. Notably, July is traditionally DIAs busiest month for passenger traffic. Denver And no, it's not Atlanta. Forgotten wallets and abandoned laptops are par for the (con)course at the pickup station. Denver International Airport is the largest airport in the U.S. by total area a whopping 53 square miles and the fifth-busiest airport in the country, serving some 64 million passengers each year. The airport moves about 75 million passengers a year. [53] Jimnez was killed in 2006 at age 65 while creating the sculpture when a part of it fell on him and severed an artery in his leg. This results in a challenging set of atmospheric conditions for pilots known as 'hot and high.'. The second, larger part shows this man toppled, and smiling children from many nations making swords into plowshares; Tanguma explains this is a reference to the Book of Micah: "and they shall beat their swords into plowshares--nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Case in point: its huge airport. 1. [12] At the time United was refusing to move to the new airport over the high proposed fees. Denver International Airport (DEN) is an intercontinental hub situated in the US state of Colorado. DIA Accolades This airport is located on the northeastern side of Denver, accessible via Pena Blvd. Denver International Airport is even busier than you realize. Additionally, all existing way-finding signs, flight information display systems and gate signs are expected to be replaced in the coming years matching what is found at the new gates and within the renovated portions of the terminal. Known as Park on the Plaza, this facility hosts lawn games, fitness classes, and lounge seating. It stands out as being North America's largest airport by surface area, and second in the world only to King Fahd International Airport (DMM) in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The new airport had fewer runways than the existing airport it was replacing. For us, going up (into the mountains) means a decrease in airspeed and an increased angle of attack. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Why Airport We bet few people know which is the largest flying hub in the country. A number of car rental companies are located at the airport, providing courtesy shuttle services from Jeppesen Terminal Level 5, Island 4, to their parking areas. Plus, it's so big that you'll have plenty to explore on a long layover. Managing Editor - Joanna has worked in publishing for more than a decade and is fast becoming a go-to source for commercial aviation analysis. But Stapleton was cramped, with little room to add additional flights and with runways too close together, leading to long waits in bad weather that would cause nationwide travel disruptions. Other gargoyle statues, sitting on open suitcases, are in the baggage claim area. This concrete strip differed from the existing five runways by being 4,000 feet longer than them. Denver Airport But given the difference in population, it does make sense that Utah's capital would have more space for a sprawling air travel hub. While this number may seem like a large difference, it still shows how large the Denver Airport is making it the largest United States Airport. Alien languages: People have noted apparent markings that are supposed to represent alien or secret languages that are actually Navajo language characters and identifiers for the airport artists. Denver's Longer Than Average Runways Thinkstock When Denver International Airport opened on Feb. 28, 1995, construction had fallen 16 months behind schedule, and $2 billion over budget. The CEEA will be located directly below the Westin Hotel and DEN Plaza and is expected to open in late 2024 or early 2025. Denver airport Photo: Denver International Airport But we will say that it's not the worst place to fly into. Back in the 1960s, Denvers airport was at Stapleton International, but as airlines grew, No one wants to deal with the hot mess that is La Guardia, and Newark is just too far away. It's not hard to believe that JFK would be on this list. Southwest and Frontier followed United Airlines. Example video title will go here for this video. 20 Biggest Airports in the U.S., Ranked by Size | Far & Wide And, of course, theres mini golf! In 1988, Adams County voters approved the annexation. DIA also saw an increase in the percentage of connecting passengers moving through the airport in 2021. It is a duplicate of a statue placed at the United States Capitol in 1997. Which is why it raised an eyebrow when, last November, The Wall Street Journal published its first-ever ranking of Americas 20 biggest airports and pronounced DIA No. One hundred and ten million cubic yards ( yd.) of earth were moved during the building of the project; this is equivalent to one third the amount of earth moved in building the Panama Canal. The site has the capacity for six extra runways, for an overall number of 12. This comes about due to a combination of an airport being situated at a high altitude, and prone to hot temperatures. Sign up today! Denver International Airport is the biggest in the USA by landmass and the second largest in the world. Bigger (or, in the case of airports, busier) is not always better. In 2020, the airport was awarded the Balchen/Post award, which is presented by the Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) for the outstanding snow and ice removal operation during difficult winter conditions. Made up of boring blocks and beige upon beige upon beige, this is probably one of the least appealing flying centers in the country. DENVER Denver International Airport ranked as the third-busiest airport in the United States and the third-busiest airport in the world in 2021. Denver Airport is closer to 13,571 acres. Blue Mustang eyes: The red, glowing eyes have led some to call the horse statue demonic, thinking that the glowing eyes are referencing the, On February 16, 2007, 14 aircraft suffered windshield failures within a three-and-a-half-hour period at the airport. The Austin-Bergstrom Airport covers more than 6.5 square miles that's about 2.5 square miles larger than the Philippines' famous Boracay island! In fact, some of the most gigantic airports in the U.S. happen to have relatively few people coming through. [22] Following this, the airport invested heavily in new snow-removal equipment that has led to a dramatic reduction in runway occupancy times to clear snow, down from an average of 45 minutes in 2006 to just 15 minutes. To say that Denver International Airport is huge is an understatement. airport David enjoys writing about high technology and its potential to make life better for all who inhabit planet earth. Back then, about 35 million people flew threw here annually. However, the travel downturn put the brakes on Denver Airport's booming numbers. Which is why it raised an eyebrow when, last November, The Wall Street Journal published its first-ever ranking of Americas 20 biggest airports and pronounced DIA No. [20][21] Another blizzard on December 2021, 2006, dumped over 20 inches (51cm) of snow in about 24 hours. Have you ever flown into or out of the Mile High City? DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $33.5 billion for That was 4.6% of Denver's overall passenger numbers that year. The airport's six runways hosted 24 regular airlines in 2019. The airport has six, non-intersecting runways. Conspiracy Theories Surrounding the Denver Airport The U.S. capital's international airport gets relatively small traffic (especially compared to Atlanta's 75.7 million annual passengers). Much like Denver, this was also necessitated by its extremely high altitude (4,334 m / 14,219 ft above sea level). [40] Concourse A is accessible via a pedestrian bridge directly from the terminal building, as well as via the underground train system that services all three concourses. 2020 puts the brakes on Denver Airport's growth . The scope has been exaggerated, and there is lore that the tunnels lead to underground survival bunkers for the rich and elite, military bases, homes for aliens, homes for lizard people, or to the, New World Order and other secret societies: Because of the isolated location, there are rumors that the airport will be used by the, Nazism: Tanguma's murals have been purported to represent. [52], Blue Mustang, by El Paso-born artist Luis Jimnez, was one of the earliest public art commissions for Denver International Airport in 1993. Last month, the Airports Council International released a preliminary list of the busiest airports in 2021. Large chunks of land aren't used for the terminals, so you'll only find about 20 restaurants and even fewer shops. By Mariana Zapata, updated on January 13, 2023 Eliyahu Parypa / Getty Images Bigger (or, in the case of airports, busier) is not always better. The airport was closed for more than 45 hours, stranding thousands. The airport was laid out in a pinwheel configuration and is located well outside the city in anticipation of future expansion in the 21st century. The airport serves the North Carolina capital, neighboring Durham and other towns within the state's Research Triangle. Size: 6.64 square miles (17.2 square kilometers). The airport is located on the western edge of the Great Plains and within sight of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Public transit into the city is fast and convenient, and dining options abound (though, sadly, many of them are lacking in quality). In both 2021 and 2022, DEN was the third busiest airport in the world as well as the third busiest airport in the United States by passenger traffic; DEN has been among the top 20 busiest airports in the world every year since 2000. Conspiracy Theories Surrounding the Denver Airport The airport's six runways hosted 24 regular airlines in 2019. Note: We may earn money from affiliate partners if you buy through links on our site. Its first five runways were equal in length. Denver International Airport is even busier than you realize. At 33,531 acres (52.4sqmi; 135.7km2),[3][4] it is the largest airport in the Western Hemisphere by land area and the second largest on Earth, behind King Fahd International Airport. We debunked a bunch of them here. Unlike most airports where youre stuck inside the stuffy terminal building until your flight, Denver has opened not one but three outdoor patios for travelers to enjoy. It is not bigger at the airport mainly because of Southwest Airlines, to which Denver is fundamentally important. With its strategic location east of the Rockies, Denver benefited from a downturn in point-to-point flights in 2020. Designed by Fentress, the sculpted canopy is inspired by the snow-capped mountains of the nearby Rockies and has been applauded for breaking the mold when it comes to airport design. For us, going up (into the mountains) means a decrease in airspeed and an increased angle of attack. DIA's ranking among the worlds busiest airports continues to improve in recent years. Size:52.39 square miles (135.7 square kilometers). Despite this, Denver Airport says international flights are slowly returning. It's a bit surprising to see Salt Lake City International Airport beat out giants like Chicago, New York and Atlanta. Most people don't realize just how huge Nashville's airport is. 2020 puts the brakes on Denver Airport's growth . Why the Denver Airport is so large is a question that has fed the fire behind many conspiracy theories around what lies under the airport. The main innovation DIA brought to Denver, unlike then existing Stapleton Airport, was a design to handle Denvers unusual wind and weather patterns. Percentage of the total passengers who visited DIA on a layover in 2021. After the embarrassing preview, the mayor cancelled the planned May opening. What's new: Denver's airport ranked No. Whereas 36% of Denver's passenger numbers in 2019 were connecting passengers, that increased to 40% in 2020. We wouldn't blame anyone who forgets that they flew into the Southwest Florida International Airport (better known as the Fort Myers Airport). In fact, some of the most gigantic airports in the U.S. happen to have relatively few people coming through. Confused? Andrews first-hand knowledge of the challenges and opportunities facing Australian airlines adds exciting depth and color to his work. Denver International Airport is twice the size of Manhattan and is the second largest public works project in the world, second only to the Chunnel linking England and France. At 53 mi 2, the airport is twice the size of Manhattan Island. [32] Southwest Airlines leased 16 of the new gates in C bringing its total gate count at DEN to 40, which is SWA's largest gate count at any single airport. And that probably will only get worse as a new, smaller airport is set to open in 2025. In fact, some of the most gigantic airports in the U.S. happen to have relatively few people coming through. But seeing the importance of a Denver air hub to the national transportation system, the federal government put $500 million (equivalent to $1 billion as of 2021[update]) toward the new airport. [51], In March 2019, the airport unveiled an animated, talking gargoyle in the middle of one of the concourses. This article is about the current airport open since 1995. In 2021, DIA ranked as the largest airport for flights for Frontier, Southwest and United. The gargoyle interacted with passengers and joked about the supposed conspiracies connected to the airport. which isn't terribly low, but it's nothing compared to the traffic other large airports get. Based on total passenger traffic, Denver International Airport (DIA) ranked third in the world, its highest-ever global grade. Which is why it raised an eyebrow when, last November, The Wall Street Journal published its first-ever ranking of Americas 20 biggest airports and pronounced DIA No. airport At 53 mi 2, the airport is twice the size of Manhattan Island. This is despite passenger traffic through TSA checkpoints at Denver being down 54% on 2019 levels. (in Spanish, English, French, and Chinese), American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), Learn how and when to remove this template message, Busiest airports in the United States by international passenger traffic, Busiest airports in the United States by total passenger boardings, List of the busiest airports in the United States, Megaprojects and Risk: An Anatomy of Ambition, World's busiest airports by passenger traffic, World's busiest airports by traffic movements, World's busiest airports by cargo traffic, World's busiest airports by international passenger traffic, List of tallest air traffic control towers in the United States, 2013 Economic Impact Study for Colorado Airports, "Denver International Airport data at skyvector.com", "Denver Airport Second Largest In The World, Twice the Size of Manhattan", "Distance From Downtown Denver As Per MapQuest", "Finally, 16 Months Late, Denver Has a New Airport", "Denver International Airport reaches milestone with 200 nonstop destinations", "Airline Hub Guide: Which U.S. Cities Are Major Hubs and Why it Matters", "Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Airport Traffic Statistics", "Denver International Airport at 25: From boondoggle to boon", "Denver Airport Saw the Future.