Expect to pay more when renting a car at Denver International Airport starting in February 2023.
The airport has proposed increasing its customer facility charge, a fee paid to the airport on each car rented at DIA, from $2.15 per day to $6. The extra revenue would go toward building a central rental car facility that would house all rental car sites at the airport.
DIA CEO Phil Washington said the airport's current charge is the lowest of any major airport in the country and that bringing the fee up to $6 would be in line with average rates nationwide.
Consolidated facilities have become increasingly popular at major airports. Washington pointed to added customer service, efficiency and sustainability as reasons behind the potential project.
With the one-stop facility, the airport would seek to decrease its reliance on shuttle buses to the airport and look into having a rail stop at the rental car facility.
"The rental car companies are fully supportive," Washington said. "They have actually been pushing for this airport to do this because, when you think about the convenience of a one-stop-shop, it's pretty incredible."
It's not the only change coming to DIA, as construction continues with Great Hall renovations and the airport plans for more passengers.
DIA will also be opening additional TSA screening lanes in spring of 2023, with new scanning technology that allows officers to screen bags faster and examine questionable items in bags without opening them. There will also be new concessions and more customer service staff.
Plus, the airport recently released plans for its Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation, a training program for the aviation industry set to open in 2024.
It's all in anticipation of the future -- the airport plans to serve 100 million passengers by 2035. And while the pandemic has slowed air travel, 2022 passenger levels are on track to beat pre-pandemic numbers.
