Roberta Aguirre
Centennial Airport (APA) is a public airport located 15-17 miles southeast of downtown Denver, Colorado. It is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the United States, with an average of 874 operations per day. Centennial Airport's control tower operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the airport offers 24/7 on-demand U.S. Customs clearance to assist international flights. The airport's runways extend into Douglas County, and it is conveniently located near four major hospitals and several flight schools.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Centennial Airport |
| Location | 15-17 nautical miles from downtown Denver, Colorado, United States |
| Owner | Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority |
| Date of opening | May 12, 1968 |
| Number of runways | 3 |
| Control tower | 24 hours |
| Administrative office timings | 0700L-1500L M-F |
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What You'll Learn
Centennial Airport is a public airport in Denver, Colorado, USA
Centennial Airport (IATA: APA, ICAO: KAPA, FAA LID: APA) is a public airport in Denver, Colorado, USA. It is owned by the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority and is located 15 nautical miles (17 miles or 28 kilometres) southeast of downtown Denver, in Dove Valley, a census-designated place in Arapahoe County. The airport's runways extend into Douglas County.
Centennial Airport opened on May 12, 1968, as Arapahoe County Airport and was renamed on July 13, 1984, to reflect Colorado's admission as the 38th state in 1876, the centennial of the United States Declaration of Independence. A new control tower was built in 1985, and the airport is now one of the busiest general aviation airports in the United States, with an average of 874 operations per day. The Federal Aviation Administration control tower provides 24/7 air traffic control services.
The airport covers 1,400 acres at an elevation of 5,885 feet. It has three asphalt runways: 17L/35R, which is 10,000 by 100 feet; 17R/35L, which is 7,001 by 77 feet; and 10/28, which is 4,800 by 75 feet. In 2018, the airport recorded 337,947 aircraft operations, averaging 925 per day, with 89% general aviation, 10% air taxi, and 2% military. 840 aircraft were based at the airport, including 569 single-engine planes, 104 multi-engine planes, 147 jets, and 20 helicopters.
Centennial Airport is home to several businesses and organisations, including Key Lime Air corporate headquarters, the Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight museum, the Colorado Karting Circuit Go-Kart Track, the Family Sports Center, a golf course, the Perfect Landing Restaurant and Avalanche Grill, the Colorado Skies Academy aerospace-focused middle school, and a hotel. The airport also supports community engagement and environmental sustainability initiatives, such as offering unleaded Avgas and implementing Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foam in its ARFF trucks.
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It is one of the busiest airports in the US
Centennial Airport (IATA: APA, ICAO: KAPA, FAA LID: APA) is one of the busiest airports in the United States. Located in Dove Valley, Colorado, the airport is owned by the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority and is just 15 nautical miles (approximately 17 miles or 28 km) southeast of downtown Denver. With an average of 874 operations per day, it is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the country and is ranked among the top 25 busiest airports in the US.
Centennial Airport's convenient location provides prime access to I-25 and E-470, making it one of the most effective business airports in the nation. The airport serves Fortune 500 companies located within the Denver area and offers uninterrupted flight and security operations. The airport's runways extend into Douglas County, and its traffic mix includes business jets, helicopters, and general aviation, creating a challenging environment for pilots.
The airport is also known for its community engagement and environmental sustainability initiatives. It is home to various facilities, including the Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight museum, Colorado Karting Circuit Go-Kart Track, Family Sports Center, and a golf course. Additionally, it supports charitable initiatives through the Centennial Airport Foundation and hosts events such as quarterly blood drives and the Runway 5K to provide scholarships for those pursuing careers in aviation.
In terms of sustainability, Centennial Airport has pioneered the use of unleaded Avgas and implemented Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foam in its ARFF trucks. These efforts have been recognised with awards from the Colorado Green Business Network. The airport also houses South Metro Fire Rescue Station 35, which services both the airport and the surrounding community.
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The airport has a 24/7 control tower
The presence of a 24-hour control tower is a critical component of airport operations, providing essential services to pilots and enhancing overall safety. Air traffic controllers in the tower play a vital role in managing the complex mix of aircraft, including business jets, helicopters, and general aviation flights. They provide crucial guidance, ensuring that pilots take off and land safely, maintain proper spacing, and adhere to designated routes.
The Centennial Airport control tower, built in 1985, is an integral part of the airport's infrastructure. It overlooks the airport's runways, which include RWY 17L/35R, RWY 17R/35L, and RWY 10/28. These runways, particularly the closely spaced parallel pairs, present a challenging environment for pilots due to the mix of aircraft and complex network of uncontrolled ramp areas. The control tower plays a critical role in managing this challenging airspace.
The air traffic controllers in the 24/7 tower provide essential services to pilots, ensuring safe and efficient operations. They offer critical instructions, such as the "Line Up and Wait" (LUAW) clearance, which directs pilots to taxi onto the departure runway and hold their position until authorised for takeoff. Additionally, they provide local airport-specific information, such as guidance on intersection departures to prevent takeoffs in the wrong direction.
The continuous operation of the control tower is a significant advantage for Centennial Airport, enabling it to handle a high volume of flights and maintain a strong safety record. The tower's round-the-clock service enhances the airport's efficiency and ensures that pilots receive the necessary support and guidance during all hours of operation. This is particularly important for an airport that serves a variety of aircraft and supports critical functions, including medical evacuation flights, firefighting operations, and humanitarian missions.
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The airport is home to several charitable initiatives
Centennial Airport is dedicated to community engagement and actively contributes to several charitable initiatives. The airport hosts and sponsors a variety of charitable events and organisations, including an annual open house and free airplane rides for children and young adults with special needs. The airport also serves as a base for several causes, allowing nonprofits and similar groups to utilise the airport for their initiatives.
The airport hosts quarterly blood drives at its Administration Building, The Hangar, in partnership with Vitalant. The airport also organises a Runway 5K to provide scholarships and other support to those seeking a career in aviation. The Runway 5K event raised over $65,000 for the Centennial Airport Foundation in its inaugural year, 2024. The airport also collaborates with nonprofit organisations to support disaster relief efforts and medical transport services. Through partnerships with organisations such as Angel Flight and Veterans Airlift Command, the airport helps provide critical medical transportation for patients and supports veterans with necessary travel accommodations.
Centennial Airport also engages with the local community through educational initiatives, including hosting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) events for students and sponsoring scholarships for aspiring pilots. The airport is home to the Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight museum, Colorado Skies Academy aerospace-focused middle school, and other community amenities.
The airport's extensive efforts in sustainability and social responsibility have earned it recognition, including a Silver Award and the Innovation Spotlight Award from the Colorado Green Business Network. The airport has pioneered initiatives such as offering unleaded Avgas and implementing Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foam in its ARFF trucks.
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It is also home to numerous flight schools
Centennial Airport (APA) is a public-use airport in the Denver-Aurora metropolitan area, 15-20 miles from downtown Denver, Colorado. It is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the United States, with an average of 874 operations per day. The airport is also home to numerous flight schools.
The challenging airport environment at Centennial Airport is ideal for pilots of all experience levels, with a mix of business jets, helicopters, and general aviation. The airport configuration includes closely spaced parallel runways and a complex network of uncontrolled ramp areas. The airspace at APA is Class D and underlies Denver Class B airspace.
Centennial Airport offers 24/7 U.S. Customs clearance to assist international flights. It is conveniently located just minutes from downtown Denver and provides prime access to I-25 and E-470. The airport is also surrounded by Fortune 500 companies, making it one of the most effective business airports in the country.
In addition to its role as an aviation hub, Centennial Airport actively supports community engagement. The airport is home to the Wings Over the Rockies Exploration of Flight museum, Colorado Karting Circuit Go-Kart Track, Family Sports Center, and golf course. It also houses the Colorado Skies Academy, an aerospace-focused middle school, and a hotel for visitors and guests.
Centennial Airport is committed to operational efficiency and social responsibility. It has pioneered initiatives such as offering unleaded Avgas and implementing Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foam in its ARFF trucks. The airport has been recognised for its extensive efforts in sustainability, receiving awards from the Colorado Green Business Network.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Centennial Airport (APA) tower operates 24 hours a day. The airport is located 15-20 miles from downtown Denver, Colorado, and is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the United States.
The business phone number for the Centennial Airport tower is 720-873-2770.
The runways at Centennial Airport are closely spaced and parallel, making it a challenging airport environment for pilots. There are three runways: 17L/35R, 17R/35L, and 10/28.
