AUGUST 2021

View as Webpage

View from Level 6 west looking at construction happening in the Level 5 arrivals area and east on Level 6 in the new ticketing and check-in space.

One of the challenges Denver International Airport (DEN) is currently navigating is the remarkable growth in passenger traffic since the airport opened in 1995. The Jeppesen Terminal was built to accommodate 50 million passengers annually. Pre-pandemic, DEN set an annual passenger traffic record for six straight years, ending 2019 with more than 69 million passengers annually. That growth is expected to continue once again when DEN and the aviation industry fully recovers from the pandemic. This could happen sooner rather than later for DEN as the current outlook for passenger traffic indicated that DEN could regain its record-setting pace by the end of 2022.

DEN is preparing to launch its Vision 100 plan, which includes a number of projects and initiatives to help DEN reach 100 million annual passengers in a thoughtful and sustainable way. The Great Hall Project is helping to prepare DEN for this growth. It will not only improve passenger flow by adding square footage to the Jeppesen Terminal, it will also introduce innovative technologies to improve the check-in and security screening processes and create a safer and more efficient experience.

In total, 21,000 square feet are being added to Level 6 on the east and west sides of the Terminal — about 10,500 square feet on each side! This additional square footage is being added to the original footprint of the Jeppesen Terminal by extending the balconies that overlook Level 5 in the center of the terminal and extending the terminal’s footprint to the outside. Additionally, the outdated linear ticketing counters are being replaced with new ticketing spaces that include new self-bag-drop kiosk systems. Check out the next article to learn more about the self-bag-drop kiosks!

DEN is also making curbside adjustments that support the expansion of space inside the terminal. The perimeter wall of the airport has been adjusted allowing for more square footage inside the building so passengers can move more efficiently. These curbside modifications will also make room for new restrooms and a future escalator coming in Phase 2 of the Great Hall Project.

The new ticketing spaces will be complete by the end of the 2021, completing Phase 1 of the project. When completed, the newly renovated space will open for passenger flow and circulation throughout the building, allowing passengers to traverse north and south on Level 6 again.

New self-bag-drop units installed below dynamic signage that will be seen in all four new ticketing pods on Level 6 east. 

Phase 1 of the Great Hall Project will bring new ticketing pods on Level 6 of the Jeppesen Terminal. These new ticketing pods will be used by United, Southwest and Frontier Airlines and will provide an innovative baggage check-in process for passengers, enabling a quicker and easier way to check-in bags for flights.

Below is a quick overview of how the new self-bag-drop (SBD) kiosks will work. In the next few months, DEN will share more with passengers around the kiosks and how to use them.

What is a self-bag-drop kiosk and how does work? 

The installation of the SBD system at DEN will function as a self-service station where passengers can drop their bags onto the conveyor belt at an SBD kiosk. The new system will decrease wait times for passengers and streamline the baggage check-in process. Let’s take a closer look at the entire check-in process.

To start with, passengers can take advantage of new baggage re-packing stations located between the ticketing pods that allow travelers to weigh their bags and re-pack overweight bags if necessary – prior to starting the check-in process.

Once passengers are certain that their bags are ready for tagging, they will be directed to an airline bag tagging kiosk where they will print their bag tags, attach them to the bags and print their boarding pass if needed. From here, the passenger will proceed to the SBD kiosk where they will process their tagged baggage by placing it on the conveyor where it will be moved for further screening and transport to the aircraft. Today, passengers must complete this second step with a customer service agent to complete the baggage check-in process and often wait in a line to do so. The SBDs will eliminate the need for this traditional way of checking in for a departing flight.

New re-packing stations being installed between ticketing pods on Level 6 east.

If a passenger requires assistance, each kiosk can be switched from self-service to a traditional-agent mode. Additionally, certain kiosks will be dedicated to full-service and traditional agent-mode to help passengers requiring assistance beyond the capabilities of the SBD kiosks. These needs include things like booking a flight or paying for additional baggage needs. Each SBD has the capability to expedite the baggage check-in process for the savvy traveler or allow for assistance from a customer service agent.

In comparison to the check-in counters that are currently used, the new self-service SBD kiosks will be more efficient for the baggage check-in process, allowing more bags to be checked in per hour than any process that has been in place before at the airport.

Airlines have the ability to create their own proprietary SBD application tailored to meet their specific baggage check-in process needs. Each kiosk will have standard baggage drop functions with the ability to incorporate additional features such as biometric facial recognition and touchless connectivity controlled via a smartphone.

Phase 1 of the Great Hall Project will provide a total of 86 SBD kiosks. These kiosks will be used by United, Southwest and Frontier Airlines.

As the Great Hall Project progresses, many people have asked what the Jeppesen Terminal will look like after each phase is complete. Well, wonder no more as DEN has new renderings to share.

Below is a rendering of each phase but be sure to visit the Rendering’s page on the Great Hall website to view all the renderings and find more information about both phases of construction.

Phase 1

Rendering 1 - Great Hall Project Level 5, new arrivals space and possible concessions west side of the terminal. 

Rendering 2 - New ticketing space on Level 6, west side, United Airlines.

Rendering 3 - New ticketing space on Level 6, west side, United Airlines.

Rendering 4 - Interior view of ticketing space on Level 6, east side, Southwest Airlines. 

Phase 2

Rendering 1 - Entering the new security checkpoint on Level 6, new queuing vestibules. 

Rendering 2 - Post-security checkpoint on Level 6, north end of terminal. 

Rendering 3 - View of post- security, Level 6. 

North security checkpoint on Level 5 with newly installed construction walls for Phase 2 of the Great Hall project.

Earlier this month, crews began installing construction walls for Phase 2 on Level 5 in the northwest area of the north security checkpoint. These walls allow for the construction of the Level 6 balcony extension overhead, which will be the future home of a new full security checkpoint on Level 6. While these additional walls can make it a bit more difficult to navigate the terminal, this is only for the short term. Later this year, the center area walls will come down making it much easier for travelers to find their way.

As a result of work taking place on the west side over the north security checkpoint, passengers can expect the following impacts:

• Additional construction walls in the northwest area of the Level 5 north security checkpoint.
• Four security screening lanes in the north security checkpoint are closed during Phase 2. However, eight lanes will remain open on the north checkpoint in addition to the 12 operating lanes on the south checkpoint and eight lanes on the A-Bridge security checkpoint.
• TSA PreCheck and CLEAR services remain available on the east side of the checkpoint.
• The western most corridor running north and south along the side of the checkpoint is closed.
• World Wide Money Exchange is temporarily closed until mid to late September when it will be relocated to the east side of Level 5 next to the Epic Mountain Express. Currency exchange is available on concourses A and B.
• Restrooms at the northwest end of Level 5 will remain open throughout construction.

As part of construction on Level 6:

• Construction walls are installed in the northwest area of Level 6.
• Escalators to Level 5 on the west side of the check point are closed and will be removed.
• The inner corridor on the west side is closed.
• Restrooms in the northwest corner have been closed.
• Access across the north bridge will remain open through 2021.

By early 2024, the northwest area of Level 6 will become a new security checkpoint that uses modern technology and layout, including a new queuing concept that will lead to enhanced security and shorter wait times. The new Level 6 security checkpoint will be open in early 2024 and all Phase 2 work will be complete by mid-2024.

Each year, the Denver Business Journal (DBJ) awards transformational women leaders in the region with the Outstanding Women in Business program. Earlier this month, DEN’s very own Cristal Torres DeHerrera, Chief of Staff for Denver International Airport (DEN), was named a winner for her influential work and leadership at the airport. DeHerrera oversees the Great Hall Project at an executive level as well as the Concourse Expansion Program, two of DEN’s largest projects!

DeHerrera has made a huge impact at the airport, lifting up women in the aviation industry, mentoring young professionals and continuously celebrating the women who have pursued their careers at DEN. In fact, many of these women work right here on the Great Hall Project!

We would like to proudly recognize all the women who directly support the Great Hall Project day-to-day in countless ways, leading to its ultimate success:

Adrian Vellinga-Pucci

Alex Palmer

Allie Kobza

Amber Brenzikofer

Amber Keenoy

Ana Cappelletti

Bailey Sweeney

Betsy Rosser

Brittany Goldsmith

Carman Lo

Catherine Quan

Delila Kofton

Diana Loya

Diane Depardon

Diane Folken

Helen Jones

Hilda Li

Ka’wanta Ortiz

Kelly O’Connor

Kris Neukirch

Krystle Berkey

Linda Hoffner

Lisa Kee

Lori Kendrick

Mack Smith

Marisol Munoz

Marla Loya

Maxine Pryor  

Monica Olmos

Parul Jain

Rachel Bannon Godfrey

Robin Brilz

Rohini Saksena

Shannon Crossman

Tania Kaaz

Tasha Neilsen

Tegan Kissane

Tracey Wright

Victoria Meunier

Making an impact isn’t just in their name, it’s what they do. The Maxx Impact Group (MIG) is a woman-owned, small business, and minority and disadvantaged enterprise (SBE/MWBE/DBE) that creates sustainable solutions to improve and enhance social responsibility efforts through the development, administration, and oversight of strategic and innovative diversity programs.

Like many businesses, MIG began with one employee, Maxine Pryor. Pryor founded the company in 2011 out of a need and passion to provide comprehensive supplier diversity services to agencies, corporations, prime contractors and small businesses within the community. To fill that need, Pryor officially launched her business five years later. Today, MIG has grown to nine employees, who Pryor likes to refer to as “team members.”

“One of our favorite parts of working at the airport has been the relationships we have established. We’ve been blessed to work with primes that have been supportive of our innovation and ‘business unusual’ approach, as well as agencies that are progressive and encouraging. As a result, small businesses are showing up and getting results,” said Pryor.

Touted as trendsetters, MIG has paved new ground for many projects in addition to the Great Hall Project at DEN. Pryor said a standout opportunity for MIG involved working with the City and County of Denver to assist with the rewrite of the MWBE ordinance for construction as well as goods and services. For nearly three years, they played a key role in helping to open procurement opportunities, address the prompt payment issues, and improve program compliance and oversight. These marked efforts have led to contracting opportunities all over the City for small businesses. It’s evident MIG provides important and impactful services within the MWBE community and for the City of Denver.

Pryor explained, “I’m passionate about the work that we do because it’s necessary. For me, this is not just a job or business – it’s a calling. I’ve always believed that ‘to whom much is given, much is required,’ and to leave others in a better state than how I first encountered them. Therefore, as we grow — personally and professionally — it’s our responsibility to help bring others with us and open doors when, where and how we can.”

Maxine and her team are also responsible for coordinating and publishing the Hensel Phelps Great Hall Project newsletter that goes out monthly. This newsletter provides project updates as well as partnering opportunities for the Great Hall Project. We strongly encourage you to subscribe to receive these newsletters!

Sign up for the Hensel Phelps Great Hall Project newsletters by emailing: [email protected]. 

Maxx Impact Group (MIG) Team.

Photo 1 - Newly opened vestibule space on Level 5 west side baggage claim area.

Photo 2 - Demolition begins on Phase 2 as old tenant space on Level 6 west is cleared out to make way for a new security checkpoint.

Photo 3 - View from inside the construction space on Level 5 west of the north security checkpoint. The North Checkpoint remains open as work for Phase 2 of the Great Hall Project continues.

Sign up for the Great Hall Project newsletters by visiting our project page!

DENVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

8500 Pena Blvd., 8500 Pena Blvd.,

Denver, CO 80247