Saturday, August 24, 2024 Denver International Airport (DEN) has announced a significant achievement in its expansion efforts, marking the fifty percent completion milestone of the new East Security Checkpoint this week. Scheduled to debut in the third quarter of 2025, the new checkpoint will mirror the existing West Security Checkpoint on Level 6. This expansion will introduce 17 additional screening lanes equipped with cutting-edge technology, enhancing the efficiency and convenience of passenger screening at DEN.
“Reaching the halfway point of the East Security Checkpoint buildout is an important milestone in this monumental program that renovates the Terminal. We are currently tracking ahead of schedule and under budget,” DEN CEO Phil Washington said . “Having two state-of-the-art checkpoints will provide a safer, more efficient and modern experience at DEN.
” Upon the opening of the East Security Checkpoint, travelers at Denver International Airport will benefit from greater flexibility in accessing their gates. Passengers screened at either the East or West Security Checkpoints will have the option to take a train to their gates or walk directly to Concourse A if that suits them better. With the introduction of the East Security Checkpoint, the Bridge Security will be permanently closed, as all passengers will have already cleared security.
The new configuration will also include the addition of four new elevators and extra escalators, facilitating seamless movement from Level 6, where the checkpoints are situated, to the train and gates on Level 4. This enhancement aims to streamline passenger flow and improve overall airport efficiency. “From the beginning, the Great Hall Program has been about enhancing safety and security by moving the security checkpoints from Level 5 to Level 6 while also serving our ever-increasing passenger traffic better, and more efficiently,” Washington continued.
“Six months into the West Checkpoint being open, we can say with confidence that we have improved the passenger experience and made our security operations safer and more efficient. The completion of the East Security Checkpoint will further enhance our security screening process and improve the passenger journey.” Since the West Security Checkpoint’s debut in February, Denver International Airport (DEN) has experienced a notable increase in customer satisfaction related to security screening.
Ratings improved from 3.98 in Q1 to 4.18 in Q2 on a scale of 5, reflecting enhanced passenger experience.
DEN now holds the second-highest rank among large airports for security wait times, according to Airport Service Quality surveys. The West Security Checkpoint is part of the Great Hall Program, a major capital improvement initiative aimed at preparing DEN for future demands. This program, which is being executed in three phases, includes enhancements to security, operational efficiency, and capacity at the Jeppesen Terminal.
The first two phases, completed within the $770 million budget, involved creating a new ticketing and check-in area for airlines and constructing the West Security Checkpoint on Level 6. The final phase will focus on developing the East Security Checkpoint and upgrading Levels 5 and 6, excluding the Federal Inspection Services area and the south end of the terminal..
