The Challenge

Keeping up with rapid passenger growth while remaining sustainable.

As the third-busiest airport in the U.S., Denver International Airport (DEN) served 82.3 million passengers in 2024, and airport leaders expect that number to grow beyond 100 million by 2030. The rapid passenger growth coincides with an ambitious facility improvement plan that includes the expansion of Concourses A, B, and C. As expansion plans took shape, the airport needed an apron lighting system that could provide whiter, more uniform apron lighting at its existing gates and meet strict lighting requirements for new concourse areas and Remain Overnight (RON) aprons. Lighting would need to be highly energy-efficient – to align with the airport’s goal to “become the greenest, most sustainable airport in the world” – while also providing exceptional visibility and uniformity without creating glare for pilots, air traffic controllers, and ground controllers.

The Solution

High-quality apron lighting with safety and efficiency in mind.

After hosting an on-site, side-by-side capability demonstration by three lighting manufacturers, project leaders chose Musco’s TLC for LED® technology to replace the yellowish high-pressure sodium lighting on their existing A Concourse. Musco’s TLC for LED® system subsequently also became the solution of choice for replacing the existing lighting on Concourse B, Concourse C, and the RON aprons, as well as for illuminating the new/expanded areas of all three concourses.

Safer, Trouble-Free Apron Lighting

Pilots, ground crew members, and other airport staff members enjoy the added safety and visibility of the new lighting. Patented visoring technology keeps light within intended areas of the apron and minimizes glare for pilots and air traffic controllers.

Streamlined Maintenance

Electrical component enclosures are remotely located near the base of the pole to ensure the maintenance team can perform routine maintenance activities without necessitating gate closures, flight schedule changes, or use of heavy equipment.

Reduced Energy Costs

In areas where LED luminaires were retrofit to replace previous HID lighting, Musco’s energy-efficient solutions are expected to save airport officials $140,000 a year on energy and operations costs (or $1.4 million over the next decade).

No Maintenance Costs

Musco’s lighting solutions at DEN are backed by a 10-year parts and labor warranty that eliminates all maintenance costs for a decade.