Denver International Airport opened the first of two new passenger checkpoints Monday as the airport continues its $2.1B Great Hall renovation project.

The new checkpoint opens at a time when several airports across the country are undergoing upgrades and renovations, due in part to roughly $15B in federal funds that have been made available for such projects through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Officials like Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Congresswoman Diana DeGette attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Airports like DIA are some of the main economic drivers for major commercial real estate markets across the country, bringing in tourists and business travelers alike. NAIOP said in a blog post last year that airports provide high visibility, connectivity and accessibility to commercial real estate properties.

“Today is a great day for Denver and a great day for Colorado,” Johnston said in a press release. “This checkpoint upgrade means the travel time for people coming through security will be faster, more efficient, and incredibly safe. We are adding more and more international capacity to Denver, which will help our state and city become the financial center of the country, the tourist center, as well as the best place to live, work, and play.”

The West Security Checkpoint is located on Level 6, where departing passengers check in for their flights near the United Airlines ticketing gates.

DIA set a new passenger record in 2023, with more than 77 million passengers making their way through the airport. That total represents a climb of 12.3% compared to 2022 when Denver’s airport served more than 69.8 million passengers.

“It is incumbent upon us to ensure the airport’s infrastructure can continue to accommodate the growth we expect and that’s why our Vision 100 strategic plan is focused on preparing the airport to serve 100 million annual passengers and serves as a blueprint to align DEN’s decision-making and accountability,” DIA CEO Phil Washington said in a press release.

The growing number of passengers traveling through Denver International Airport can be attributed in part to the airport offering direct flights to places like Mexico City, Mexico; Tokyo, Japan and Dublin, Ireland.