Give yourself plenty of extra time if you are flying out of Denver International Airport in the next week.
The Transportation Security Administration is warning people to expect longer wait times at security between Sunday and Friday.
On top of that, construction on Peña Boulevard could add extra time to your trip to the airport. (Scroll down to check our interactive traffic map before you head out!)
On Saturday, the TSA issued a travel bulletin for the Denver airport for June 12-17.
The TSA stated that the number of passengers expected to pass through the airport would require 37 security screening lanes but the airport only has 30 screening lanes.
With 30 screening lanes open, the airport can handle about 55,000 passengers per day, the TSA stated, but 57,000 to 63,000 travelers are expected each day between Sunday and Friday.
The busiest time period is 4 a.m. through 11 a.m. MDT, according to the TSA.
"During peak periods... TSA will open all available screening lanes, make maximum use of passenger screening canine teams, add staff through use of overtime, and use administrative and other personnel to handle non-security related functions," officials stated.
Check security wait times here: flydenver.com/security
The TSA issued the following recommendations:
- Arrive early: Although screening lanes will operate at capacity, the increase in travel volume could result in greater than normal wait times. Check with your airline and consider arriving up to two hours in advance of flight departure time for domestic travel and three hours for international flights.
- Follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule: Liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes must be 3.4 ounces or less and all bottles must fit in a single quart size plastic bag and placed in a bin for screening.
- Prepare for the checkpoint: Have an acceptable ID and boarding pass ready and remove large electronics, including laptops, and the 3-1-1 compliant liquids bag from carry-on baggage. Avoid over packing carry-on bags. Consider checking bags vs. carry-on where feasible. Travelers may refer to the summer travel checklist.
- Call TSA Cares: Travelers or families of passengers with disabilities and medical conditions may call the TSA Cares helpline toll free at 1-855-787-2227 with any questions about screening policies, procedures and what to expect at the security checkpoint 72 hours prior to traveling.
- Tweet @AskTSA: Unsure if an item is allowed through security? Issues receiving TSA Pre?® on your boarding pass? Get live assistance by tweeting your questions and comments to @AskTSA, weekdays, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends/holidays, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Check your flight status here: flydenver.com/flights
Frontier Airlines sent an email to passengers scheduled to depart from the Denver airport, recommending they arrive at the airport three hours before their flight.
The email read, in part:
"If you are originating in Denver, unfortunately due to continuing long wait times at the TSA Security checkpoints, we strongly recommend arriving at the airport three hours prior to your scheduled departure time. We apologize for the need to be at the airport longer than you'd originally planned, but with the likelihood of extended wait times at the TSA checkpoints we want to make sure you're able to be at the gate no later than 20 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time of your flight."
Also, be sure to allow extra time to get to the airport - there is construction work being done on eastbound Peña Boulevard between Jackson Gap Street and the airport. On Saturday morning, drivers reported that traffic was backed up to Tower Road.
