Commissioner: winter traffic dipped while summer seat capacity will grow; Ground Delay Program remains concern

Commissioner Janet Fischer presented the airport’s air-service review, saying the winter seasonal measurement showed roughly 226,000 arriving seats (a 3 percent increase over the previous winter but about 4 percent lower than two years ago) and approximately 156,000 arriving passengers, a decline of roughly 4 percent from last season.

Fischer said overall load factors were estimated between 68 and 69 percent, down from about 74 percent the prior winter. She attributed some of the decline to a low‑snow season that reduced travel among Front Range and drive‑market travelers while destination visitors remained relatively resilient.

Looking ahead, Fischer said seat capacity is scheduled to increase by about 12 percent for the spring, summer and fall season. Southwest Airlines has expanded service from five weekly flights to daily service through October, and United Airlines has upgraded two of its three daily Denver flights to mainline aircraft. Alaska, American and Delta schedule changes were described as loaded or under discussion, and Fischer noted JetBlue’s winter schedule typically finalizes later in the year.

Fischer emphasized operational challenges that could affect service planning: the FAA Ground Delay Program (which produced approximately six to ten significant delay days concentrated during peak operations following February procedure changes), rising jet fuel prices, and Transportation Security Administration staffing uncertainties. She presented examples of cascading Saturday arrival delays—some delayed more than three hours—and gate-occupancy pressures during midday periods.

Board members asked whether ongoing delays might jeopardize airline commitments to the market; Fischer said she had not received indications that airlines intend to reduce service but that the issue remains under close monitoring.