Why United Airlines Invested $1 Billion In Denver Airport

While airline stocks have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, passengers have returned in record breaking numbers.

2023 was Denver International airport’s busiest year on record, with an estimated 78 million passengers for the year.

The airport, which opened in 1995, was originally built to handle 50 million passengers per year, but now that number is expected to reach over 100 million per year by 2027, according to DIA estimates. OAG, a global travel data provider, said Denver went from the 21st busiest airport in the world in 2019 to the 6th in 2023.

United Airlines is Denver’s biggest operator with 46.7% market share, followed by Southwest 30.7% and Frontier 9.7%.

The mid-continent airport has become the United’s busiest hub. It recently invested nearly $1 billion in Denver to add more gates, flights, destinations and opened the largest lounge in its network. The airline wants to grow to 650 flights a day before 2030.

CNBC got a behind the scenes look at United’s Denver operations and explores how the airport and airline plan to keep up with the demand.

Chapters:
1:26 Airport growth
4:09 United Airlines
7:44 The future

Produced, shot and edited by: Erin Black
Animation: Christina Locopo
Supervising Producer: Jeniece Pettitt
Editorial Support: Leslie Josephs

About CNBC: From 'Wall Street' to 'Main Street' to award winning original documentaries and Reality TV series, CNBC has you covered. Experience special sneak peeks of your favorite shows, exclusive video and more.

Connect with CNBC News Online

#cnbc

Why United Airlines Invested $1 Billion In Denver Airport

[SnappyWasHere]

Whoever pushed 30 years ago for an airport outside the city with no limits on size is the real visionary. So many other cities should’ve done the same.

[smartycummins]

As an airline pilot based in Denver, I absolutely love this airport. Very easy to taxi around. Predictable taxi’s, runway assignments, approaches. The weather can just be a bit crazy in the summer and winter sometimes.

[coyotelong]

The great thing about DIA is how well-situated it is, providing quick and easy access to the rest of the Intermountain West, the entire Western US and the entire Great Plains region of the Midwest

Of the Big 3’s Intermountain West hubs (along with SLC for Delta and PHX for American), United’s hub at DIA is the most geographically well-situated

[Attack_Titan]

"Damm so nobody's scared of Blucifer? 😂

[sebrofc]

I've always found this airport to be a marvel of civil engineering. Yes the airport has had many stones cast particularly at opening but even You'd hear things like "its too far out, its bleeding money, the baggage woes and not so smooth opening, the noise for new housing in the area, access issues etc...." the city has made efforts to address all of these. I think they have shown that an airport doesn't have to be just a huge liability for a municipality but it can actually be an asset. Imagine the economic impact of this facility in fees, taxes, stimulus, commerce etc... The addition of capacity on peña and the hotel, the concourses the A line are great and will allow the airport to continue to meet the needs of the area for years to come. I have often wondered why no smaller alternative airport has ever been floated with the continued growth of the front range another option might be good for those unpredictable scenarios.

[wunkle]

This seemed more like an infomercial for United Airlines.

[jpkral]

As someone from Denver that is frequently traveling due to work, it's such a convenience. Every destination around the country and canada is a simple 2-4 hour one way flight.

[RudieObias]

I was just at the Denver Airport with an hour long layover. It's a very nice airport, but needs more eateries

[davidgiles]

Hey Phil, as a long time Denver based employee for THE major carrier, you need to address two things.
1. The lack of an alternate means to get to the B and C terminals needs to be fixed ASAP! The train system has become a joke at times. Don't be like an Ostrich with your head in the sand on this!
2. Start treating all Denver based employees better. You moved the landside lot to the fringe of the airport grounds, and it's horrible. From vehicle break-ins to nowhere to go to the restroom if needed, you have to do better. The airside lot is better, but that where you plan to move the new rental vehicle hub??? Really! Come on Phil - do better.

[eusa]

I remember going in and out of there weekly for a couple of months straight. I remember walking to the other end of the terminal to the other to catch a connecting flight and it had to be a good mile long as it took 20 minutes.

[zkosn]

In my 2 years of DIA vs 20 of AUS. Getting to DIA and through security is far more predictable than Austin. Knock on wood but TSA precheck at DIA North checkpoint has been excellent compared to other airports in predictability as they will take lanes from the non pre lanes as needed to keep the line moving. But like other comments have said, the lack of a train backup to terminals B and C is generally concerning.

[ericjones]

I went through DIA in 2022 on Southwest Airlines and i really enjoyed connecting through that airport 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿💙💙💙💙💙

[DamplyDoo]

Having recently been forced to depart from this airport, i can confirm it is a sh*t show. Thank God I had TSA precheck, the general line was out the door

[Gmedalion]

Denver is OK if you’re connecting but to get to the airport from downtown and through security, give yourself an extra hour than other airports. Fix getting through TSA and it will be much better

[chuck]

It's amazing how Southwest has grown at DIA. There was a time back in the late 1980s and 90s when they didn't want to fly into any airports with bad weather and totally avoided Denver. When they finally decided to service Denver they must have really liked what they found because now they are the second biggest carrier at DIA and have their own Concourse with 30+ gates. It's my favorite connecting point on Southwest when I fly them across the Country. Denver made a great decision to replace Stapleton Airport with Denver International giving an immense area for future growth.

[CesarMartinez-oouo]

Fun fact: the main blueprint of the airport was if it did get more populated, there was enough land to add a second tent right in front of the main tent. So people would check in, dropp of their luggage and all the airlines wouldnt be right next to each othed. That plan faded out thru the years and instead the airport added a train station and a hotel.

[drno]

It is interesting that CNBC does not feature any interviews with passengers, just executives and consultants from the airport and city. If you travel there as a passenger be prepared for extremely crowded gate areas, malfunctioning or absent charging outlets, mediocre food, and bathrooms so old you can smell the urine as you pass by. The airport IS being renovated but at a snail's pace while the existing terminal facility continues to be worn out from heavy passenger traffic.

[Ashleycorrie]

I'm hoping to retire next year at 55. My goal next year is to be more serious and consistent with my investments I've been investing since I was 22. 2024 is going to be more serous for me investing consistently for the long term. starting to save for a house down payment. I want to invest more than $105k, but I'm not sure on how to mitigate risk

[RobotDoctor]

DIA was my home airport from its opening until June 2022. I averaged around 35-40 trips out of DIA during that period of time. That’s between 1000 to 1100 trips. I love DIA as it proved to be a great home airport. My home airport is now Jacksonville, FL and still fly United. I travel through DIA from time to time so it’s weird that I don’t get on the train, go to baggage claim then go out to the parking garage to get my car and drive home to Fort Collins.

[OkagaCalifornia]

I travel to Denver frequently to visit my partner, the DIA is great. Not surprised to see it growing.