Located in the heart of the southeast metro business district and only 12 miles from downtown Denver, Centennial Airport is one of the nation’s busiest general aviation airports. We provide service to a wide variety of users including, corporate businesses, charter operations, medevac and air ambulance service, military and Department of Defense, flight schools, research and development, cargo, and more. Spanning both Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, more than 125 businesses employing approx. 10,000 individuals rely on Centennial Airport.
We are unique to offer 24/7/365 service to our users, including 24/7 Customs services for international travelers. This allows for users to get where they want, when they need to most. Even in adverse weather conditions, our highly decorated snow & ice removal team works around the clock to help ensure the airport remains open and safe to operate at.
Centennial Airport is more than just a logistical hub—it's a vital lifeline for communities across Colorado. From medical evacuation flights transporting patients to specialized care facilities to humanitarian missions delivering aid, Centennial Airport connects people in need with essential resources. Additionally, the largest air-ambulance companies in Denver provide service to the entire region through Centennial Airport; transporting patients, blood, or organs to points throughout the state and country. Nestled near 4 major hospitals, we are proud to support approximately 50 medical operations per day.
Apart from aeronautical use, we also support community engagement by being home to the Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight Museum, Family Sports Center and golf course, the Perfect Landing restaurant and Avalanche Grill, Colorado Skies Academy aerospace-focused middle school, and a hotel (coming 2024). In addition, South Metro Fire Rescue Station 35 sits conveniently on airport property and services the Airport and the surrounding community.
Centennial Airport stives to be a global leader in sustainability; achieving operational efficiency through economic vitality, social responsibility, and use of natural resources. We are at the forefront of sustainability efforts, pioneering initiatives such as offering unleaded Avgas—the first in Colorado—and participating in sustainability programs. Moreover, we actively engage with the community through events like charity initiatives, blood drives, and the Runway 5K, demonstrating our commitment to social responsibility.
Centennial Airport is a General Aviation Airport, which includes all civil and military aviation operations other than commercial scheduled air services. We act as a reliever airport to help reduce congestion at Denver International Airport. We are unique to offer 24/7/365 service to our users, including 24/7 Customs services for international travelers.
Centennial Airport is the busiest G.A. airport in the nation. In 2023, Centennial Airport accommodated 362,407 aircraft operations with most of the traffic concentrated during the daytime hours. The record year at Centennial occurred in 1998, with over 466,000 aircraft operations. An operation is defined by the FAA as a takeoff or a landing. A "touch and go" conducted by a training aircraft counts as two operations.
Centennial Airport provides service to a wide variety of users including, corporate businesses, charter operations, medevac and air ambulance service, military and Department of Defense, flight schools, research and development, cargo, and more. Spanning both Arapahoe and Douglas Counties, more than 125 businesses employing approx. 10,000 individuals rely on Centennial Airport.
We are also home to the Family Sports Center and golf course, the Perfect Landing and Avalanche Grill, and a hotel (coming soon). In addition to that, South Metro Fire Rescue Station 35 sits conveniently on airport property and services the Airport and the surrounding community.
The Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority is a quasi-governmental entity that owns and operates Centennial Airport. It is governed by a Board of Commissioners which include five voting members appointed by the Arapahoe County Board of Commissioners and three ex-officio Douglas County Commissioners or their appointees.
Centennial Airport is responsible for generating approximately $2.1 billion in direct and indirect economic impact for the local and regional economy according to the CDOT 2020 Airport Economic Impact Report. The economic impact of the Airport is measured through jobs employed, payroll distributed, business revenues, and value added (business revenue earned minus costs of purchasing goods and services). That same year, 10,341 jobs depended on Centennial Airport.
Since 2020, Centennial Airport business has increased, and we expect that our economic impact has simultaneously increased.
Centennial Airport is financially self-sufficient through three major categories. Fees and taxes collected by fuel sales account for approximately 50% of the revenue. Land leased to tenants accounts for approximately 35% and includes aeronautical leases such as hangars and nonaeronautical leases such as the hotel, go-cart track, and golf course. Concessions fees, commercial activity fees, and construction fees account for the remaining approximately 15%. These percentages fluctuate slightly on an annual basis.
No. Centennial Airport is self-sufficient relying solely on the tenant and users of the airport for its financial support. Centennial Airport does accept Federal and State Grants for capital improvement projects that are also funded through Federal and State taxes on aviation fuel.
Aside from our significant economic contribution, the Airport regularly supports the local community through charitable donations. Between Centennial Airport and the Centennial Airport Foundation, the Airport donates to more than 20 individual charities. We spread our contributions throughout five major categories: aerospace education and history, veterans’ and law enforcement, health and wellbeing development, business and economic development, and civic, cultural, and youth organizations. Our tenants have also been known to be great contributors to the community.
Centennial Airport is open for business 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and in most weather conditions. Although significantly less than daytime operations, the airport does have aircraft activity at night. Interstate Commerce Laws and Federal Grant Assurances prohibit restrictions on flight times.
ACPAA administrative offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at 7565 S. Peoria St.
Before the surrounding area was ever developed, a plan was created for the Denver Technological Center (DTC). Of that inception was the idea that an airport should be a major component and contributor to a successful business community operation. On May 12th, 1968, the Arapahoe Public Airport was opened and at the time Arapahoe Road was just a two-lane dirt road leading to the Airport. Since then, the DTC has grown and with it, residential development and supporting facilities. Centennial Airport continues to work with the surrounding jurisdictions to establish compatible land use and create a positive relationship within the community.
Centennial Airport is a public-use airport and accepts federal funding for capital improvement projects. By accepting federal funding, the airport is required to adhere to “grant assurances”, one of which prohibits the restriction of aircraft using the airport, including military aircraft. Centennial Airport sees a variety of military aircraft operations, including F-18s, C130s, Blackhawks, and more. Military aircraft are not held to the same noise standards as civilian aircraft.
Centennial Airport supports the military and the training requirements needed to protect the nation.
Aviation is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the United States. The Federal Aviation Administration regulates everything from manufacturing of aircraft to flight rules and air traffic control in and out of airports. Because of this, aircraft travel remains the safest form of travel in the world. While aircraft accidents may be highly publicized, they are extremely rare with fewer than .07 deaths per billion passenger miles for aircraft versus 7.28 deaths per billion passenger miles for cars. (Source: Ian Savage, Northwestern University). The likelihood of an aircraft ground strike is many times smaller than getting hit by lightning or sustaining fatal injuries from a car accident.