Denver International Airport sees record growth in passengers and cargo, highlighting its global connections

In 2024, DIA welcomed a whopping 82.4 million passengers, which is a 5.8% jump from last year. Can you believe it? They were originally expecting around 82 million, but they totally crushed that estimate. They’re even gearing up for a future where they could handle 100 million travelers in just a few years!
The airport, which opened back in 1995, was designed for 50 million travelers. They’re currently in the middle of a $2.1 billion upgrade to boost capacity to 120 million by 2045. That’s some serious planning!
On the cargo side, they moved over 732 million tons this year, marking a 7.4% increase from 2023. Phil Washington, the airport’s CEO, emphasized the importance of keeping up with this growth to ensure safety and a great experience for everyone flying in and out.
The summer months were especially busy, with record numbers of international travelers. In fact, 4.6 million international passengers came through DIA in 2024, which is a 15% increase from last year. Domestic travel also saw a rise, hitting 77.7 million.
According to the latest stats, DIA is now the third-busiest airport in the U.S. and sixth in the world. That’s quite an achievement for Denver! If you want to stay updated on more local news, don’t forget to sign up for the Mile High Roundup newsletter.