How Denver International Airport keeps TSA security lines at 12 minutes as other airports see hours-long wait times

Bruce Finley, The Denver Post on Mar 24, 2026

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DENVER — Tens of millions of dollars that Denver International Airport officials invested in reconfiguring security screening checkpoints have helped keep the airport relatively quick for travelers amid the double trouble of a spring break surge and the federal government shutdown.

Security wait times at DIA over the past two weeks averaged 12 minutes, according to airport records. Travelers never waited longer than 35 minutes, and often got through in less than ten minutes, airport officials said this week.

That compares with chaos at other airports around the country, where lengthy Transportation Security Administration wait lines delayed travelers for hours. TSA officers have been forced to work without pay for weeks as the partial government shutdown, which started Jan. 31, drags on, leading to short staffing. The long lines prompted the Trump administration to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to help the TSA address backups at more than a dozen other airports.

In Denver, a $2.1 billion overhaul of the signature white tent-topped main terminal included a security checkpoints makeover. DIA contractors installed 34 security screening lanes using the latest Artificial Intelligence-powered systems that allow passengers to keep laptops in their bags and facial recognition technology to speed processing. These replaced 42 old-style lanes.

TSA teams can screen 180 to 240 passengers an hour per lane.

DIA’s west-side checkpoint opened in February 2024. The east-side checkpoint opened in August 2025. Before the terminal reconstruction is completed next year, airport officials plan to install another 12 screening lanes.

After investing $60 million in the equipment for the two new checkpoints, DIA donated it to TSA along with manufacturer warranty, maintenance, and support services, officials said this week in an emailed statement.

DIA made “significant investments in its checkpoint technology, which enhances the experience for every traveler passing through our airport,” officials said. “However, these improvements do not diminish the critical role our federal TSA partners play in keeping operations smooth and secure.”

TSA officials did not respond to questions.

During the shutdown, DIA last week struggled to deal with an unexpected Xcel Energy power outage that caused havoc for hundreds of travelers. But airport officials reported that “TSA workers are showing up to work at DIA.”

DIA rallied public support, launching a donations campaign that brought in more than 950 grocery and gas gift cards to help security officers working without pay handle daily living expenses. “We are grateful to the TSA employees who are continuing to come to work to maintain normal operations.”

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