Arrive! May/June 2014 | Air Service News from Denver International Airport

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May/June 2014

Welcome Hello! We are so pleased to share Arrive! — an air service e-newsletter about Denver International Airport (DEN). Arrive! will be distributed bimonthly, and the content will include the latest economic and air service news in Denver, Colorado.

DEN at a Glance Since opening on Feb. 28, 1995, DEN has become one of the busiest hubs in the world and is Colorado's primary economic engine, generating more than $26 billion in annual impact to the state's economy (Colorado Department of Transportation, 2013). Preliminary results from Airports Council International's accounting of the busiest airports in 2013 put Denver International Airport at No. 15 in the world and No. 5 in North America.

Denver is strategically located in the center of the United States, providing convenient connecting options for both domestic and international travelers.

DEN is one of the few major U.S. airports with room to expand its current facilities to accommodate future growth. Encompassing 53 square miles (137.8 square kilometers) of land, DEN is twice the size of Manhattan Island, and is larger than the city boundaries of Boston, Miami or San Francisco. DEN is the largest airport site in North America and the second-largest in the world. The efficient layout of six non-intersecting runways allows for multiple simultaneous aircraft movements.

DEN has capacity for six additional runways, 12 in total, a second terminal, and two additional concourses. Denver's

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Runway 16R/34L, which runs north-south and is 16,000 feet (4,877 meters) long, is the longest commercial runway in the United States. It is one of the reasons DEN has received ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) certification to handle Airbus A380 operations.

DEN's award-winning architecture and magnificent views of the Rocky Mountains create a unique atmosphere for travelers. Jeppesen Terminal's internationally recognized peaked roof, designed by Fentress Bradburn Architects, is reflective of snow-capped mountains and evokes the early history of Colorado when Native American teepees were located across the Great Plains.

15 Passenger at DEN Provide over 1,550 Daily Flights to more than 180 Destinations Worldwide

Airline Market Share at Denver by Seat Capacity CY 2013

Source: Denver International Airport Internal Statistics

United Airlines Announces New Nonstop Service to Panama City In May, announced the initiation of new nonstop service that will connect Denver with Panama City, Panama, beginning December 3, subject to government approval. Flights will operate daily November through August and five times weekly in September and October. The flight will provide Denver-area travelers with direct access to the Panamanian capital and will also offer connections to dozens of cities in Central and South America through the hub operated at Panama's Tocumen International Airport by United's Star Alliance partner . In addition, passengers throughout United's U.S. and Canadian network can use Denver as a gateway to the region.

"Just as Tokyo opened a gateway to Asia, Panama City will open the Rocky Mountain West to all of South America," said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock. "United Airlines' decision to begin nonstop flights to Panama City is another major addition to DEN's premier flight service and will strengthen the region's position as a global hub and international competitor. Today nearly 350 people a day travel between Colorado and South America. We anticipate this service will stimulate additional travel, and we already look forward to the increased tourism, cultural and business connections this new service will provide."

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United will operate the service using a Boeing 737-700 aircraft with 118 seats – 12 in United First, 40 in Economy Plus and 66 in United Economy. For southbound travelers the flight is scheduled to depart Denver at 12:40 p.m. in the winter (October through March) and 1:40 p.m. in the summer, arriving in Panama at 8 p.m. For northbound travelers the flight is scheduled to depart Panama City at 9:15 a.m. and arrive in Denver at 1:25 p.m. in the winter and 2:25 p.m. in the summer.

"Panama City ranks as one of Denver's largest unserved markets in the Central/South America region," said Kim Day, Denver's Manager of Aviation. "Our air service development strategy carefully targets destinations which we believe offer the most potential for long-term success, and we have long focused on Panama City for service. Similar to our efforts to secure service to Tokyo's Narita International Airport, we focus on hub-to- hub connections that will best serve the size of our growing international market. United's flight will connect to their Star Alliance partner, Copa Airlines, which has a well-developed hub in Panama City connecting to nearly 40 cities in the region."

Like Denver, Panama City is a strategically located hub and provides unparalleled access to destinations across the growing South American continent. Travel between Denver and South America has reached the level of nearly 300 passengers per day; for Colorado the number Steve Jaquith, United's managing director of the Denver hub, along with reaches 350 passengers per day. In addition, Denver's Manager of Aviation Kim Day, Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock passengers can access markets in Central America and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, announced new nonstop and the Caribbean from Panama City. service between Denver and Panama City on May 7.

With the addition of the Denver-Panama City route, Denver International Airport will now provide nonstop access to more than 180 destinations worldwide, including 24 nonstop international destinations in 10 countries and a robust domestic network in 45 states. Preliminary estimates show that the Denver-Panama City service will generate between $35 million and $45 million in annual economic impact to the State of Colorado and will create more than 400 new jobs.

2014 Passenger Traffic Growth Boosted by International Travelers DEN set a record for the busiest April in its 19-year history, as overall passenger traffic and international passenger traffic continued to climb in 2014.

The number of passengers traveling on international flights increased by 24 percent from 155,510 travelers in April 2013 to 192,870 travelers in April 2014. International passenger counts have continued to show steady growth at DIA as overall international traffic increased 23 percent through the first four months of 2014 compared to the same timeframe in 2013.

Contributing to this growth is increased travel to on both Aeromexico and Volaris. Aeromexico celebrated five years of Denver-to-Mexico service in February and posted one of its busiest months ever. Volaris, which also provides nonstop service between Denver and , recorded a 45 percent increase in passenger traffic in February 2014 when compared to February 2013. In addition, United's flight from DEN to Tokyo, Japan (NRT) continues to see strong passenger numbers.

Denver International Airport Monthly International Passengers January 2012 - April 2014

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Source: Denver International Airport Internal Statistics

"In April 2014, all three of our largest partners, United, Southwest and Frontier, showed an increase in connecting passengers and high load factors, and the Easter holiday falling in April contributed to record-setting April traffic," said Kim Day, Chief Executive Officer of Denver International Airport. "International passenger traffic continued to trend strongly, up 24 percent from the same month last year. In April 2014, United's international traffic increased by 27 percent, Southwest's increased by nearly 47 percent and Frontier's increased by 21 percent compared to April 2013. We are on track for a very strong year at Denver International Airport with our peak summer season just around the corner."

Routes 2015 is Coming to Denver Denver will be the host city for the 8th Routes Americas event, hosted by DEN and supported by Visit Denver, on February 1–3, 2015, at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. This will mark the first time that Routes Americas, the route development forum for the entire Americas region, will be held in North America.

"We are extremely excited to host Routes Americas in 2015 and provide a 'Mile High' welcome to airlines and airports from across North and South America," said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock. "Expanding our global connectivity through Denver International Airport is a critical component of our ongoing international outreach efforts."

"By hosting Routes Americas in 2015 we will be able to showcase all that Denver and Colorado have to offer as airlines look to expand their networks," said Kim Day, DEN manager of aviation.

Routes Americas attracts air service development professionals from North America, Central America, Latin America and the Caribbean and is the only /airport networking event that recognizes the vital interdependence of these markets and their air links. For more information, visit www.routesonline/events/172/routes-americas-2015.

Aeromexico Celebrates Five Years at DEN DEN celebrated Aeromexico's fifth anniversary of service between Denver and Mexico City with a gate event on Feb. 6, 2014. Passengers enjoyed refreshments before the nonstop flight departed from Denver to Mexico City. DEN Manager of Aviation Kim Day and Consul General of Mexico Carlos Bello presented a plaque to Aeromexico's regional sales director of the U.S. West Coast, Giancarlo Mulinelli, in appreciation for Aeromexico's dedication to the Denver market. Aeromexico's seasonal nonstop flight operates from December to April using a Boeing 737 aircraft that carries up to 124 passengers.

"Denver International Airport thanks Aeromexico for its commitment to the Denver market these past five years," said Denver's Manager of Aviation, Kim Day. "Mexico is our largest international market by country, and this important relationship continues to stimulate the economy in both Mexico and the Rocky Mountain region." http://localhost/info/news/publications/arrive/2014_mayLarge.html[3/16/2015 10:47:24 AM] Arrive! May/June 2014 | Air Service News from Denver International Airport

Aeromexico began operating at DEN on Feb. 1, 2009, and over the last five years, more than 75,000 passengers have travelled between Denver and Mexico City with the airline. Many of these passengers are tourists from Mexico who come to ski in the Rocky Mountains every winter. Mexico City ranks as one of Denver's largest international markets, accounting for more than 70,000 annual passengers.

Mexico Consul General Carlos Bello (left), Aeromexico's regional sales director (U.S. west coast), Giancarlo Mulinelli (center), and Denver Manager of Aviation Kim Day (right), mark Aeromexico's fifth anniversary of air service between DEN and Mexico with a gate celebration and an anniversary cake.

Volaris Adds International Service to and Chihuahua from Denver Volaris will begin nonstop service to Guadalajara (GDL) and Chihuahua (CUU) beginning in July. These two nonstop international destinations are new markets for Volaris at DEN, and Denver is the first U.S. destination from CUU for Volaris.

"Volaris has been an active and engaged partner since service initiation to Mexico City in 2012," said Kim Day, Denver's manager of aviation. "Denver has strong links with both Guadalajara and Chihuahua, and we look forward to supporting the Volaris expansion into these unserved destinations."

DEN's international nonstop destinations have increased by more than 30 percent since 2011 to a total of 24 destinations with recent service additions on various airlines to Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF); Tokyo, Japan (NRT); Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ), and Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ). In addition, United will add nonstop service to Panama City, Panama, beginning in December 2014.

"Each new destination served by nonstop flights increases Denver's presence on the global stage and provides opportunities for economic expansion," said Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. "The commitment by Volaris to invest more service into the Denver market is an indication of our strong market fundamentals and growth potential."

Volaris will operate the Guadalajara flight once a week on Mondays beginning July 7. The aircraft will arrive in Denver at 12:50 p.m. and depart to Guadalajara at 2:15 p.m. Volaris will operate the Chihuahua flight once a week on Saturdays beginning July 12. The aircraft will arrive in Denver at 11:20 a.m. and depart to Chihuahua at 12:45 p.m. Please visit www.volaris.com for additional information.

Metro Denver Economic Forecast for 2014

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The Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC) and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce published their Metro Denver Economic Forecast for 2014.

The Metro Denver EDC's CEO Tom Clark said the forecast is encouraging for business expansion in the region, especially after a record-setting year for many indicators in 2013.

"Metro Denver will continue to record higher personal income, stronger retail sales, enhanced residential and commercial construction, and broad-based job growth at higher rates than both the nation and state," commented Clark.

Notable indicators from this year's forecast report include the following:

Colorado ranked among the top 10 states in the U.S. for employment growth in 2013. The state should add over 59,000 jobs in 2014. The oil and gas industry in Colorado is experiencing exceptional growth that will continue throughout 2014. The construction sector is also posting large job increases, as the demand for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects picks up. Abundant mountain snowfall during the 2013-14 season should attract more winter tourists, helping to boost the state's leisure and hospitality industry. Higher personal income growth and rising consumer confidence should lead to higher retail trade sales growth in the coming year. Altogether, the state will enjoy another year of economic expansion and job growth as it continues to be a magnet for companies and job seekers due to its business friendly environment and area amenities. Metro Denver experienced job growth in 2013, leading to a gain of nearly 42,000 jobs. This employment growth rate of 2.9 percent was well above the nation's employment growth of 1.6 percent. The three supersectors that added the most jobs in Metro Denver in 2013 – professional and business services, education and health services, and natural resources and construction – are likely to maintain this distinction in 2014.

The 2014 Economic Forecast reviews the events of the past several years and examines emerging trends for this year. The forecast for Metro Denver includes the seven counties of Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson. The report analyzes a variety of indicators in the areas of population, employment growth, consumer confidence, and residential and commercial real estate.

For more information please visit the Economic Forecasts website of the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation: www.metrodenver.org/metro-denver-economy/forecasts.

Source: Metro Denver EDC and Development Research Partners

Meet the Team We are always more than happy to answer questions you may have, and the members of DEN's air service development department are:

Laura Jackson, Senior Director - Air Service Development & Aviation Research, (303) 342-2282, [email protected]

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Manuel Moreno, Senior Manager – Air Service Development, (303) 342-2221, [email protected] (pictured left)

Ben Marwitz, Manager – Air Service Development, (303) 342-2278, [email protected] (pictured right)

Laura Coale, Media Relations, (303) 342-2270, [email protected] (not pictured)

City & County of Denver Department of Aviation 8500 Peña Boulevard | Denver, Colorado U.S.A. | 80249-6340 [email protected]

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