Denver International Airport Opens Advanced East Security Checkpoint

Denver International Airport (DEN) has opened a new East Security Checkpoint on Level 6 as part of its $2.1 billion Great Hall Program, aimed at enhancing passenger experience and increasing screening capacity. The checkpoint features 17 lanes equipped with advanced TSA technologies, mirroring the West Security Checkpoint that opened in 2024, and introduces innovations like biometric Credential Authentication Technology (CAT-2) that verify passenger identities without storing images. This expansion allows for improved passenger flow, reducing wait times and enabling travelers to keep shoes on during screening while only removing belts and pocket items. The new checkpoint was completed five months ahead of schedule and $10 million under budget, with the older North and South checkpoints on Level 5 being phased out, though the South checkpoint will remain as a backup until early September. Denver officials, including Airport CEO Phil Washington and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, praised the project as a significant advancement in airport security and passenger convenience. The upgraded security layout is designed to help DEN accommodate increasing passenger volumes, with hopes to eventually serve 100 million travelers annually.