This summer Colorado has experience record numbers of travelers flying into Denver International Airport (DEN). This June a total of 4,260,361 travelers passed through the airport, 25 per cent higher than in the same month of last year. It pushed DEN’s year-to-date total to 21,690,466, a massive 21.7 per cent increase over the first six months of 2003. 
British Airways direct London Heathrow Denver flight saw an increase in passenger numbers of 30 percent in June 2004 compared with the same month last year. 

If passenger growth continues at the same pace for the rest of the year, DEN will easily set a traffic record in 2004. The previous busiest year at the airport was 2000 when 38.75 million travelers were reported. 

“We continue to be impressed at the rate of passenger traffic growth” said Vicki Braunagel, co-manager of aviation at Denver International Airport. “The airlines are reporting very high load factors, so we expect the rest of the summer and autumn months to be busy.”

Flight operations increased 16.1 per cent during June and were up 14.1 per cent for the first six months of the year. 

“This growth is good news for Colorado tourism. We have worked hard to promote the summer tourism market with the aim of increasing leisure visitors to the state at this time. Colorado has much to offer travelers as a Spring and Summer destination and this growth in passenger traffic is certainly a step in the right direction towards achieving this.” said Stefanie Dalgar, Director of Communications for the Colorado Tourism Office. 
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