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DlA Sets Record for 53.2 Million Passengers
More than 53 million air travelers passed through Denver International Airport in 2012, setting an airport record, and in all likelihood keeping DIA ranked fifth among U.S. airports.
If you were one of those travelers, you were among a daily average of 145,633 passengers who traveled by air at DIA. To put 53 million in perspective, the number approximates:
- The combined populations of California, Illinois, and Iowa
- 10.6 times Colorado's population (5 million, according to the 2010 census)
- 66 sold-out crowds at Sports Authority Field at Mile High
- The world's estimated total inhabitants (50 million) in 1,000 BCE (about the time the Phoenicians were spreading the alphabet around the Mediterranean and King David was conquering Jerusalem)
- The purchase price of the 80-acre Tenuta di Petriolo Tuscan villa and its vineyards and olive grove—if it's still on the market
- The number of households (11 million) who watched the first episode of Downton Abbey (season three) multiplied 4.8 times
- Fifty-three million is about 22 million more passengers than those who flew in DIA's first year (1995).
Although the year-over-year passenger volume growth of 0.6 percent was not remarkable, DIA had five consecutive months of increased traffic (from August to December), and 2012 was the fifth year in a row that the airport has had more than 50 million air travelers.
"These numbers reaffirm that Denver remains a very strong market for air travel," said Denver's manager of aviation, Kim Day. "We have continued to serve the growing demand for both international and domestic travel, introducing new carriers such as Icelandair, Spirit Airlines, and Volaris in 2012. I am looking forward to United's service to Narita, Japan, in 2013, which will bring business and leisure opportunities to and from Denver."
DIA's complete December 2012 traffic report is available at: http://business.flydenver.com/stats/traffic/index.asp.
South Terminal Redevelopment Program Launches ASCEND
Accelerating Success through Communication, Education, Networking, and Business Development, or ASCEND, was born recently as a direct result of the needs identified by minority- and women-owned business subcontractors working in design and construction on DIA's hotel, public plaza, and commuter-rail station.
The new program is designed to help companies build their capacity, whether through increasing their pool of qualified workers, being able to meet cost and scheduling requirements, having a sound business structure, or through some other business element. ASCEND provides resources, education, and opportunities to further M/WBE firms' growth and competitiveness.
Through the ASCEND Program, which comprises employee training, retention, and outreach elements, the South Terminal Redevelopment diversity and outreach team assesses the needs of South Terminal firms under contract and learns their developmental goals, then matches these companies with the available training, consultation services, or educational offerings provided by existing community resources. This eliminates cumbersome navigation through multiple agencies to find the workshops and services they need.
The South Terminal Redevelopment Program has teamed with Contractor Academy, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency, Colorado's Procurement Technical Assistance Center, and the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center and its partnership with the Connect2DOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) program.
These resource partners will provide ASCEND participants the following services through existing workshops and one-on-one consulting services:
- Business Development
- Organizational Development
- Operations
- Technical Assistance
ASCEND connects firms to these services on a tailored schedule for a reduced rate or for free.
For more information about ASCEND, contact Kelli Kelly at (303) 214-5643 or kelli.kelly@parsons.com.
FasTracks Update – East Corridor Line
Remember when you used to be able to tell the coming of spring by the arrival of robins? On the Regional Transportation District commuter rail project along Peña Boulevard, the arrival of a flock of cranes signals an early spring.
Big construction cranes will be completing the installation of girders on the sweeping bridge over Peña Boulevard, located just east of the E-470 bridge. That work is forecast for early March. Look first for completion of a short shoo-fly detour in the median, which will allow continuous 24-hour access for travelers driving to Jeppesen Terminal.
The first work, setting girders over the westbound lanes, will happen overnight while Denver-bound traffic uses the shoo-fly to get around construction during the work shift of 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The following two days, a crane will set the girders over the columns now in the median—all during daylight hours. On the fourth day, overnight work will place girders over the eastbound lanes, with traffic diverted on the shoo-fly. On the final night, the last set of girders will be placed on the bridge approach off to the south side of Peña Boulevard.
That's not the only place you'll spot the cranes, however. As you are heading east along Peña Boulevard, you'll see girders put into place over Tower Road to the south, followed quickly by the rail bridge over E-470. The span over outbound Peña near the terminal and over the employee parking lot and Newcastle Street is on the schedule for late March or early April.
Meanwhile, work on the rail underpass that is being built directly under the "X" terminal roadway crossover will shift to the north side, with Terminal West traffic moving over top of the lid that's been placed over the south side of the track alignment.
Lighting the Way
Everything at Denver International Airport is a little bit brighter after $6.64 million in airfield lighting upgrades. "We were looking for ways to improve safety and prevent runway incursions," explained Heather McKee, an electrical support engineer at DIA.
The two-and-one-half-year project began with the replacement of multimode fiber optic cable that encircled the airfield. Forty miles of faster, more reliable single-mode optic cable was installed in place of fiber optic cable. In addition, inset stop-bar lights were interchanged with dual stop-bar/runway-guard lights. The new lighting system was installed parallel to the existing system, which enabled the upgrade to take place without disrupting current airfield operations.
State of DIA 2013
Denver Aviation Manager Kim Day will again address Denver's business community at the annual State of DIA luncheon, presented by the construction tri-venture Mortensen Hunt Saunders (South Terminal Redevelopment Program) in partnership with the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and the Metro Denver Aviation Coalition. This year, the event will be held Tuesday March 12 at the Seawell Grand Ballroom, located within the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.
Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock will introduce Kim Day, and Steve Spangler, 9News Science Guy, will have a special presentation. For more information contact: events@metrodenver.org or call (303) 620-8063. To register, click on this link: Event Registration
Change Coming to Those Who Need It
Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock was the first to donate spare change to help the homeless at a Denver International Airport security screening checkpoint on February 4.
DIA installed new change collection containers to support the city's plan to end homelessness. There are a total of four containers: one located before the south security screening checkpoint, one before the north security checkpoint, and two before passenger screening located just before the bridge to A Gates.
"Passengers need to empty coins from their pockets before the security line anyway, so now that money will go to helping some of the most vulnerable in our community," said Mayor Hancock. "Denver has seen many success stories of homeless individuals and families getting back on their feet, and this is another innovative way that we are supporting those efforts," he added, emphasizing that one person's donated spare change will be compounded by the volume of contributions that travelers are expected to make at DIA.
Since 2007, DIA has had more than a dozen donation parking meters inside the airport, which have brought in more than $10,000. The parking meters are part of a public awareness campaign aimed at raising awareness that there is a better way to help homeless citizens. Meters are located in areas throughout the airport where passengers can walk by and donate change.
Video of the mayor donating change can be viewed on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSoW_Sd-q_I.
About Denver's Road Home
Road Home is a citywide initiative to end homelessness in Denver. Now in its eighth year, Denver's Road Home partners with providers and the community to help homeless men, women, and children. The organization funds substance abuse programs, mental health programs, emergency shelter, housing, outreach, prevention, employment services, and many other programs geared at helping the homeless. To learn more, visit www.DenversRoadHome.org.
Airline Market Shares at DIA - 2012
The air carriers' market shares in 2012 differed only slightly from 2011. Southwest Airlines pulled ahead of Frontier with a 9.3-percent increase in passenger volume, capturing 23.62 percent of Denver's market. Frontier lost 1 percent of its market share, giving it a total of 21.92 percent—close behind Southwest. United Airlines has the largest market share in Denver—40.47 percent. The other major air carriers—both domestic and international—that provide service at DIA have small percentages of market share because they do not use Denver as a hub for their flight operations.
Mustang Turns Five
Denver's unassuming blue sculpture, a vision of equine magnificence, which you may have noticed as you drive toward Jeppesen Terminal at Denver International Airport was installed in February 2008 and is celebrating its fifth birthday this month.
The steel and fiberglass steed is the last artwork of sculptor Luis Jiménez, who died during its creation. Because of its size, Jiménez built Mustang in sections. It was completed by his family and transported to California where an engineering firm assembled Mustang and made sure its steel skeleton was structurally sound. Then, the blue horse was wrapped for protection and hauled to Denver International Airport along a route that avoided as many mountain passes as possible.
Mustang, at 32 feet high, has a sweeping view south to Pikes Peak, and one of the best vantage spots for viewing DIA's airfield (although not as good as the FAA control tower's, which surveys the airfield from an altitude of 327 feet).
Handy Charts List Airline Fees
The Web site www.airfarewatchdog has assembled a handy directory of current airline fees that travelers may encounter when buying a ticket and checking in. You can see what each airline charges for such services as changing a ticket, checking a bag, flying with a pet, sending an unaccompanied minor, or simply receiving a blanket or pillow. CLICK HERE to read the charts.
Air Service News
Frontier Adds Winter Service to Jackson Hole
On February 13, Frontier began nonstop service between Denver and Jackson Hole, Wyo. (JAC), with flights two times a week. Winter service to the Wyoming resort town on Frontier will be available through April 7, 2013. The carrier's summer season service will resume May 2013.
Spirit Heading to Detroit
On February 14, Spirit Airlines added Detroit (DTW) to its destinations from Denver. Initially the carrier will fly between Denver and Detroit five days a week. On March 1, 2013, Spirit will expand the service and fly daily.
Southwest Heading Southwest to Mexico
Southwest received approval to begin service between Denver and Los Cabos, Mexico (SJD), beginning March 10, 2013. The service will be operated daily by AirTran, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southwest, through April 28. After that, flights will be two days per week through the summer. Los Cabos is also served by United and Frontier from Denver.
Contributors
Kevin Andrews – Photographer
Laura Coale – Writer
Kevin Flynn – Writer
Douglas Howard – Design
Steve Klodt – Chief Editor
Mikhail Vafeades – Writer
Joy Wasendorf – Writer
City & County of Denver Department of Aviation
8500 Peña Boulevard | Denver, Colorado U.S.A. | 80249-6340
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