Overnight security times to change at Denver International Airport

Brooke Williams
·3 min read
4

DENVER (KDVR) — If you arrive at Denver International Airport a few hours before an early morning flight, you might have to wait. Security checkpoint hours are changing at DIA.

On Wednesday, FOX31 confirmed that the Transportation Security Administration will no longer operate checkpoints and bag scans between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.

5 things to know about the new security checkpoint at DIA

The change in security checkpoint times will only affect people getting to the airport several hours before their flights. Currently, DIA does not list any flights leaving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Previously, South security had been open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Starting May 5, South security will be open for 22 hours, and no security checkpoints will be open at DIA from 1 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Why is TSA changing the DIA checkpoint hours?

TSA said it is changing the checkpoint times at DIA to utilize resources and increase staffing during high-traffic times.

“By closing the checkpoint for those two hours it allows us to reallocate our staff to when we’re actually going to be screening more people,” TSA spokesperson Lori Dankers said.

This means there will be more staff available to have more lanes open during busier security checkpoint hours.

How to reserve a spot in the security line at DIA

Dankers noted that the reason the change is happening on May 5 is because TSA officers use a shift bid a couple of times each year, which is when TSA officers get to bid to work different days and schedules.

“We have the new hours starting consistent with the new shift bid so we didn’t disrupt anybody’s current schedule, it was built into that shift bid,” Dankers said.

How will new security hours impact travelers?

Dankers said that a vast majority of travelers will not be impacted, and the change will mostly impact airport workers.

“During that period of time, it is primarily airport employees who are going through the checkpoint,” Dankers said.

She said TSA has communicated the change with airport stakeholders, and any employees who will be impacted should have already been made aware of the change.

For travelers who do arrive before 3 a.m., Dankers recommends checking the ticketing counter times for a specific airline to see if you can drop a bag off there.

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Otherwise, Dankers said the changes will allow TSA to have more staff during high-traffic hours, including the early hours of the day. This will allow TSA to have more lanes open and get through the line quicker, so even travelers with early morning flights should have plenty of time to get through security.

What will the new security checkpoint hours be?

These are the current security checkpoint hours at the airport:

  • Bridge security: 4:30 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.

  • South security: Open 24/7

  • West security: 4 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

After May 5, these will be the security checkpoint hours:

  • Bridge security: 4:30 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.

  • South security: 3 a.m. – 1 a.m.

  • West security: 4 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Why Denver International Airport doesn’t call itself ‘DIA’

The change comes after the airport opened the West checkpoint earlier this year. The West checkpoint was created to replace the North checkpoint. This new security checkpoint is supposed to decrease wait times and get passengers through at a quicker rate, according to DIA officials.

During the opening, DIA officials announced plans going forward, which include opening an East security checkpoint that mirrors the West and eventually closing the South security checkpoint.

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