DENVER – Dec. 30, 2025 – As 2025 draws to a close, Denver International Airport (DEN) is looking back at a year of accomplishments and milestones, including celebrating 30 years since officially opening in 1995.
“DEN’s roughly 1400 dedicated employees took major steps toward fulfilling our goal of preparing the airport for 100 million and an eventual 120+ million annual passengers,” DEN CEO Phil Washington said.
A partial list can be found below, and a full report of the year can be found here.
Largest domestic network
For the first time ever, DEN ranked #1 above every other U.S. airport for domestic destinations served nonstop.
Record Months for Passenger Traffic
January, June, July, August, September and October set all-time passenger traffic records, with July 2025 ranking as DEN’s busiest month ever, and DEN’s first-ever month with over 8 million passengers. Seven million passengers came through DEN in September, 2025 – that was the highest number of passengers recorded for September in the airport’s history.
New and Noteworthy International Air Service
Three new international destinations were added to DEN’s air service network in 2025, all by United Airlines. On May 1, DEN celebrated the Mile High City’s first-ever service to Italy with the inauguration of nonstop flights to Rome, operating seasonally. On May 15, DEN commemorated the addition of nonstop service to the airport’s seventh destination in Canada with year-round flights to Regina, Saskatchewan. In late October, DEN celebrated brand-new year-round flights to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, marking the airport’s 19th country with nonstop service.
With these additions, DEN now offers nonstop service to 34 international destinations across 19 countries, the most in DEN history.
On April 30, 2025, Lufthansa made history as the first carrier to operate scheduled commercial flights at DEN with the Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft. The A380 operated nearly 350 flights between Denver and Munich, Germany in 2025, and Lufthansa has scheduled the A380 to return on the Denver-Munich route in June 2026.
DEN unveiled renderings for the final phase of the Great Hall Program, which creates a vision for the Jeppesen Terminal that is welcoming, authentic to Colorado, and meets the needs of passengers today and in the future. Learn more.
The East Screening Checkpoint opened in early August ahead of schedule and $10 million under budget. Seventeen lanes of state-of-the-art technology mirror the West Checkpoint, which opened in February of 2024. With the opening of the East Security Checkpoint, the bridge connecting the Terminal to Concourse A reopened. Passengers who are screened now have the option to walk to Concourse A and arriving passengers are also able to use the bridge to exit to the Terminal.
DEN also kicked off renovation work at the south end of the Terminal, prompting the permanent closure of South Security. To accomplish the renovations, DEN temporarily relocated the check-in counters for two dozen airlines from the south end of Level 6 to the center of Level 5. The renovations will create the Living Room, a high-energy space filled with comfortable seating, numerous dining options and a signature art piece, The Stars and the Cottonwood by artist Donald Lipski.
DEN also reached substantial completion on the construction of the airport’s new Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation.
Peña Boulevard Progress
DEN completed the Jackson Gap diverging diamond interchange – part of the Peña Boulevard Phase 1B project. The new diverging diamond interchange on Jackson Gap has improved traffic conditions along a critical section of the Peña Boulevard travel corridor and offers a more efficient traffic flow that has improved safety and reduced delays for area drivers and rental car facility shuttle buses.
Additionally, DEN initiated the start of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) efforts to evaluate potential improvements along the Peña corridor between I-70 and E-470.
Progress Made on Future Projects
DEN completed initial planning for the expansion of the north terminal and eventual 50 additional gates. The next step will be to procure a project management team consultant.
Project Management Teams were selected for the ongoing planning and design of the Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility (ConRAC) and the Concourse C West expansion of 11 new gates.
No Discrepancies Found in Annual Safety Certification Inspection
In 2025, DEN achieved zero discrepancies on our FAA Part 139 safety inspection for the 7th time in nine years.
Credit Ratings Affirmed
In 2025, DEN maintained strong credit ratings from Fitch, S&P, and Moody’s (AA-/AA-/Aa3 for senior bonds; A+/A+/A1 for subordinate bonds)
Parking Improvements
More than 90 cameras in the Pikes Peak Lot, with more than 197 different views, were installed in July of 2025. The installation of cameras is part of a larger multi-year effort to enhance security across DEN’s parking lots and garages. The project also includes new robust data storage equipment and the use of License Plate Reader (LPR) technology that allows the airport a greater ability to monitor parking facilities and assist law enforcement in auto theft investigations.
DEN’s Green Mission
DEN was named #1 Green Fleet of 2025 by the NAFA Fleet Management Association for the first time in the airport’s history for its work in reducing environmental impacts and promoting sustainability across fleet operations. The airport expanded its electric vehicle fleet by 49% from 2024, within a total fleet of 770 units. The airport continues to order and receive additional EVs, which is expected to result in a total fleet growth of 103%.
DEN opened 31 concessions in 2025– the largest number of concessions opened ever in a single year. DEN also became the first airport in the world to offer three Michelin rated restaurants in its concession program, all of which are local favorites.The airport’s concession team is working to open approximately 30 concepts in 2026.
Enhancing the Customer Experience
DEN made improvements within the Federal Inspection Services (FIS)/Customs area including adding wider exit doors, remodeling the baggage re-check area and replacing podiums to enhance the efficiency and flow of international passenger movements.
DEN installed its second child play area located near gate A25. Following the success of the area on Concourse C, this play area features an aviation-themed design targeted for toddlers and small children.
