Denver International Airport Secures Nonstop Flight to Asia
22-May-2012 On the heels of its 75 anniversary in Denver, United Airlines today announced that it will begin daily nonstop service from Denver International Airport to Narita International Airport near Tokyo, Japan in March 2013. This will be the first-ever nonstop flight from Denver to Asia and represents a tremendous success for the City of Denver's and State of Colorado's economic development efforts over the past 10 years.
"Today's announcement of United Airlines' new service from Denver to Tokyo is an economic-development victory of epic proportions for the Denver metro area," Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. "Opening this next frontier of opportunity with a nonstop flight to Japan will create new jobs, help us recruit new companies, generate more than $130 million in annual economic benefit to Colorado, and elevate Denver as a world-class city on the global stage. For decades, this city has worked to secure this flight and better connect Denver with one of Asia's most important commercial hubs. Thank you to United Airlines and its Star Alliance partner, All Nippon Airways, for their commitment to the Denver market and DIA."
Securing a non-stop flight to Asia, specifically to Narita International Airport, has been one of Denver's top priorities for many years. Tokyo Narita, as it's commonly called, is a gateway into Asia and the airport sees the majority of international passenger traffic to and from Japan.
"With United Airlines and ANA both members of the Star Alliance network, a flight between Denver and Narita is essentially 'hub-to-hub' service," said Kim Day, Manager of Aviation for Denver International Airport. "United's flight to Narita will allow one-stop access to growing markets in ANA's network such as Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Singapore; while United's hub here in Denver can provide one-stop access from Narita to popular business and leisure destinations in the U.S."
Mayor Hancock urged travelers throughout the city and state to support this new flight by purchasing tickets and flying to Tokyo and beyond.
"This flight represents United's investment in Denver, Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region," Hancock stated. "We must now invest in United by purchasing tickets and flying as passengers. We must work to make this flight successful to ensure the greatest benefit to our regional economy."
United will operate the flight daily using the new Boeing 787 aircraft. The inaugural departure is planned for the first quarter of 2013.
The flight is now available for sale. Please visit www.united.com for additional information.