Denver International Airport Statistics 2025

Published Aug 6, 2025 · Updated Feb 19, 2026

Denver International Airport (DEN) is the third‑busiest airport in the United States and the sixth‑busiest worldwide. In 2024 it handled more than 82 million travelers, serving as a critical hub for both domestic and international flights throughout the western United States.

How many passengers pass through Denver International Airport each year?

Denver International Airport handled over 80 million passengers in 2025, matching its 2024 record and maintaining its position among the world’s busiest airports.

The airport handled 82.4 million passengers in 2025, matching the record-breaking total from 2024.
Pre-pandemic levels were surpassed in 2022 with 69.3 million passengers, the 69 million recorded in 2019.
Passenger volume fell to 33.7 million in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, then rebounded to 58.8 million in 2021 and 77.8 million in 2023.

Vertical bar chart of Denver International Airport annual passenger volume by year, in millions, showing a sharp 2020 pandemic dip and a rebound to record levels. — Annual passenger volume at Denver International Airport, reaching a record 82.4 million in 2024 and 2025.

International vs Domestic Passengers

DEN remains primarily a domestic airport, but international traffic is growing quickly.

Domestic passengers: 77.5 million in 2025 (94.1% of the total).
International passengers: 4.9 million in 2025 (5.9% of the total), up 4.8% from 2024.

Stacked vertical bar chart of Denver International Airport passengers by year split into domestic and international segments, in millions. — Domestic versus international passengers at DEN by year — domestic traffic dominates, with international a small but growing share.

Inbound vs Outbound Passengers

DEN demonstrates a relatively balanced flow of inbound and outbound traffic, reflecting its dual role as both a destination airport and a major connecting hub.

Domestic inbound passengers reached 38.79 million in 2025, slightly surpassing the 38.77 million domestic outbound passengers.
International inbound passengers totaled 2.44 million, narrowly exceeding the 2.43 million international outbound passengers.

Passenger Flow: Inbound vs Outbound (2022-2025)
Year	Domestic Inbound (in million)	Domestic Outbound (in million)	International Inbound (in million)	International Outbound (in million)
2022	32.97	33.00	1.68	1.64
2023	36.91	36.89	2.03	2.00
2024	38.89	38.83	2.33	2.32
2025	38.79	38.77	2.44	2.43

What is the total number of aircraft operations at Denver International Airport each year?

Denver recorded 705,469 take-offs and landings in 2025, ranking fourth worldwide for aircraft movements.

2025 operations rose 1.5% from 694,900 in 2024.
Operations were 640,100 in 2019, before dropping to 442,571 in 2020.
They then climbed to 593,916 in 2021, 615,733 in 2022, and 662,010 in 2023.

Vertical bar chart of Denver International Airport annual aircraft operations by year, in thousands, with a 2020 dip and a recovery to a record high. — Annual aircraft operations (take-offs and landings) at DEN, reaching a record 705,469 in 2025.

Aircraft Operations by Type

In 2025, most operations at Denver International Airport were carried out by air carriers, totaling 610,489 movements.
Additionally, air taxi operations made up 91,678 movements, while general aviation contributed 3,036 and military flights accounted for 266 operations.

Aircraft Operations at Denver International Airport by Type (2022-’25)
Type	2022	2023	2024	2025
Air Carrier	510,345	579,760	609,341	610,489
Air Taxi	101,753	78,812	82,128	91,678
General Aviation	3,466	3,289	3,262	3,036
Military	169	149	169	266

Source · Air taxi operations refer to on-demand commercial flights using small aircraft and are classified under general aviation, which includes all non-scheduled civil aviation activities outside commercial airline services.

Which airlines operate the most flights out of Denver International Airport?

Two carriers dominate DEN and together carry more than three‑quarters of all passengers.

United Airlines: 41.4 million passengers, 50.3% market share (2025).
Southwest Airlines: 24 million passengers, 29.1% market share.
Frontier Airlines: 7.6 million passengers, 9.2% market share.
More than 20 other carriers, including Delta and American, share the remaining 11.4%.

Passenger Volume (in Millions)
Airlines at Denver International Airport by Passenger Volume (2022-’25)
Airline	2022	2023	2024	2025
United	32.1	36.4	38.9	41.4
Southwest	21.2	24.0	25.6	24.0
Frontier	6.8	7.5	8.3	7.6
Delta	3.4	3.7	3.6	3.3
American	2.7	2.7	2.8	2.8
Other	3.1	3.5	3.1	3.2

Passenger Traffic Trends at Denver International Airport

Passenger numbers show clear seasonality. Traffic builds early in the year, peaks in mid‑summer, and tapers toward year‑end.

July 2025 was the busiest month with 8.01 million passengers, followed by June (7.66 million) and August (7.51 million).
January and February 2025 were the quietest months with 5.97 million and 5.63 million passengers, respectively.

Vertical bar chart of Denver International Airport monthly passenger traffic in 2025, in millions, peaking in mid-summer. — Monthly passenger traffic at DEN in 2025, peaking at 8.01 million in July.

How much cargo does Denver International Airport handle annually?

Cargo tonnage has grown steadily over the past decade.

Cargo tonnage has grown steadily from 672 million lb in 2019 to 733 million lb in 2025.
Cargo dipped slightly to 667 million lb in 2020, then rose to 673 million lb in 2021 and 724 million lb in 2022.
Volumes eased to 682 million lb in 2023 before reaching 732 million lb in 2024 and a new high of 733 million lb in 2025.

Vertical bar chart of Denver International Airport annual cargo tonnage by year, in millions of pounds, rising steadily over recent years. — Annual air cargo handled at DEN, reaching a record 733 million pounds in 2025.

Delays and Cancellations at Denver International Airport

On‑time departures: 76% in 2024 (19th among major U.S. airports); up from 72% in 2023.
On‑time arrivals: 80% in 2024; up from 77% in 2023 (10th nationwide).
Cancellations: 1.13% of flights in 2024, down from 1.39%.
Average delays: departures 62.45 minutes (60.75 minutes in 2023); arrivals 71.48 minutes (69.69 minutes in 2023).

What is the total annual operating revenue generated at Denver International Airport?

Denver International Airport crossed the $1 billion mark in annual operating revenue in 2023 and 2024, setting a new record in the airport's financial history.

Denver International Airport generated a total operating revenue of $1.18 billion in 2024, reflecting continued growth from $1.02 billion in 2023 and $930.2 million in 2022.
The upward trend followed a recovery from the pandemic-impacted years, with $716.4 million in 2021 and $591.8 million in 2020.
Prior to the pandemic, the airport had earned $867.8 million in 2019.

Vertical bar chart of Denver International Airport annual operating revenue by year, in millions of USD, with a 2020 dip and a rebound to record levels. — Annual operating revenue at DEN, crossing $1 billion and setting a record $1.18 billion in 2024.

More Statistics

Incidents at Denver International AirportFebruary 16, 2007: Twenty‑six windshield failures on 14 aircraft, attributed to foreign object damage from sand during strong winds.
December 20, 2008: Continental Flight 1404 veered off Runway 34R and caught fire; 38 injuries, no fatalities.
April 3, 2012: ExpressJet Flight 5912 struck approach lights on landing; smoke led to evacuation, one hospitalization.
February 20, 2021: United Flight 328 returned after engine damage; debris fell over Broomfield, but the aircraft landed safely and no injuries were reported.

Additional Facts

DEN covers 53 square miles (34,000 acres), making it the largest airport in North America by land area.
The “Vision 100” expansion plan aims to prepare the airport to serve 100 million passengers annually by 2027.
In traffic rankings, DEN is third in the United States, sixth worldwide, and fourth worldwide for aircraft operations.

References

Denver International Airport — Reports and Financials (Fly Denver) · flydenver.com
International Destinations of Passengers from Raleigh-Durham International Airport · data.transportation.gov
BTS TranStats — IAH Route Information · transtats.bts.gov
Incidents at Jackson–Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport — NTSB · ntsb.gov

Denver International Airport Statistics