South Security is closing, but East Security is here

Gone are the days of long lines frequently snaking across the floor of Denver International Airport’s Great Hall and around the corner to baggage claim.

The terminal’s old central checkpoint, South Security, will close permanently on Tuesday. Instead, travelers will be directed to the high-tech West Security checkpoint, which opened last year, and now, its near-identical companion, East Security checkpoint, where 17 new security lanes are opening on the same day.

The new checkpoints can handle many more people. Each lane at the new locations can handle up to 250 people per hour, compared to 150 per hour for lanes in the older checkpoints.

The new security design is showing results so far.

South Security’s average wait time is 11.5 minutes, more than double that of the more efficient We