Denver Airport Execs Spend $165K on Madrid Trip, Drawing Public Scrutiny Over Travel Costs
Executives from Denver International Airport are under fire after spending $165,000 on a trip to Madrid for a three-day airport terminal conference. The trip, which took place in April 2025, included nine top officials, all of whom flew business or first class. Flight expenses alone ranged from just over $9,000 to more than $19,000 per person, according to records obtained under Colorado’s Open Records Act.
The cost breakdown, released by CBS News Colorado, included flights, hotels, meals, conference registration, and ground transportation. Critics have pointed out that the travel was funded through airport revenues, which ultimately come from public-facing sources like parking fees, concessions, and rental car charges. CEO Phillip Washington defended the trip, stating it was “an investment in our people” and that “our policy allows us to do that,” though records show the group arrived a day before the conference began.
Further controversy arose around Washington’s Chief of Staff, who extended her stay in Europe well beyond the two business days permitted under employee travel policy. When questioned, Washington said he was unaware of the rule but promised to address the issue internally.
Despite the criticism, airport leadership maintains that international conferences like these are vital for future partnerships and infrastructure growth. The trip’s high cost has reignited discussions around government spending and travel policy reform, especially for publicly accountable organizations.
For more details, view the original CBS News report here: CBS Colorado Coverage
