Mayor Johnston Releases Statement on Flight Reduction at Airport

Mayor Johnston Releases Statement on Flight Reduction at Airport

Published on November 06, 2025

Mayor Mike Johnston today released the following statement regarding the federal government's decision to reduce flights by 10% at major airports as well as the city's effort to support federal employees and keep Denver International Airport (DEN) running at full capacity.

"President Trump's shutdown has forced federal employees to work without pay and left 100,000 Denverites without access to food. Now his dysfunction is threatening to cancel flights for millions of Americans and kneecap our state's largest economic engine," said Mayor Mike Johnston. "I fully support the airport's efforts to pay air traffic controllers, and I urge the Trump Administration to stop playing politics, lift these restrictions, and keep our flights running smoothly, safely, and at full strength."

The third busiest airport in the country and the sixth busiest in the world, DEN is also the state's largest economic engine, contributing more than $47 billion annually to Colorado's economy and supporting nearly 245,000 jobs.

This week, DEN submitted a request to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to use airport revenue to support air traffic controllers. DEN would then request reimbursement from the federal government to be paid upon the shutdown's conclusion.

As announced this week, DEN has also created a food and essentials pantry for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other federal employees who continue to work at DEN without pay during the federal government shutdown. While the airport community has been donating items, DEN is also seeking donations from the public to help keep the pantry stocked for the duration of the shutdown. You can find a list of ways to donate as well as drop off location here.

Travelers are currently encouraged to arrive inside the airport at least two hours before their boarding time and to check with airlines for the latest information regarding delays or cancellations.

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