Centennial Airport

Arapahoe County · Est. 1968

KAPA
Overview Key Issues Legal Cases Studies Communications News Resources
362,407
Annual Operations
9,236
Jobs
$2.4B
Business Revenue
900+
Based Aircraft
238
Angel Flight Missions

About Centennial

Centennial Airport is one of the 25 busiest airports in the nation, averaging 1,000 takeoffs and landings daily. Opened in 1968 and serving the south Denver metro area, it generates $2.4 billion in business revenue and supports over 9,200 jobs. The airport is currently navigating a hangar affordability crisis with 140% rent increases, while leading Colorado's transition to unleaded aviation fuel with a $300,000 grant-funded UL94 subsidy program.

Economic Impact — 2025 Colorado Aviation Economic Impact Study

9,236 jobs
$769.5M payroll
$1.3B value added
$2.4B business revenue

Key Issues

Hangar Rate Crisis

Town hangar rents increased from $500/month (2021) to $660, then to $1,200/month effective April 2026 — a 140% increase in 5 years. The Association of Town Hangar Tenants filed an FAA complaint alleging violations of grant assurance requirements for fair and reasonable fees. AOPA and CPA issued a joint advocacy letter January 2026.

Unleaded Fuel Transition

Centennial became the first Colorado public-use airport to offer unleaded UL94 avgas in May 2023. A $300,000 grant was approved in 2024 to subsidize the transition. Approximately 80% of flight school aircraft are already certified for UL94.

Noise Complaints

Residents near the airport have organized around noise from increased traffic. Community concerns include controlled airspace headings routing traffic over neighborhoods.

Official Communications & Documents

Letters, memoranda, and formal correspondence between aviation authorities, local government, and community stakeholders.

Advocacy letter challenging proposed Jet Center rate increases and citing FAA Grant Assurance compliance concerns.

News & Developments

Aug 5, 2026
Colorado’s Centennial Airport Hangar Rent Dispute Heads to Court (AVweb)
Feb 5, 2026
Denver pilots shocked by hangar rate hike — rents jump to $1,200/month (AOPA) I appreciate you wanting me to help, but I'm unable to write an accurate synopsis from the material provided. The article excerpt contains only website navigation menus and structural elements rather than the actual article content about Denver hangar rate increases. To write a factual, neutral summary for your timeline, I would need the substantive article text that explains what happened and the context behind the rate hikes.
Jan 30, 2026
Hangar tenants claim rent hikes violate grant assurances, file FAA complaint (avbrief) Centennial Airport hangar tenants filed an FAA complaint alleging that rent doubles—from $600 to $1,200 monthly—violate grant assurance requirements for "fair and reasonable" rates, potentially denying GA pilots affordable hangar access through excessive pricing. The dispute highlights tensions between airport funding needs and pilot affordability at Colorado's general aviation facilities.
Jun 14, 2024
Centennial Airport leads unleaded fuel initiative with $300,000 grant approval (AVweb) # Centennial Airport Unleaded Fuel Initiative Centennial Airport received a $300,000 grant to subsidize unleaded aviation fuel sales and offset price premiums, aiming to accelerate GA pilot adoption of unleaded fuel and address community lead concerns. The initiative matters to GA pilots because it reduces the cost barrier to switching from leaded 100LL to unleaded alternatives, with 80% of training aircraft at the airport already certified to use the unleaded fuel.
Sep 6, 2023
Woman worries she'll be targeted for bringing concerns over Centennial airport noise (YouTube) I appreciate the request, but I cannot write an accurate synopsis from this material. The provided excerpt appears to be only YouTube metadata/navigation elements rather than actual article content about the noise complaint issue. To provide factual, neutral coverage suitable for CPA members, I would need the full article text describing the specific concerns, circumstances, and relevance to GA operations at Centennial Airport. Could you provide the complete article content?
Watch: Woman worries she'll be targeted for bringing concerns over Centennial airport noise
May 8, 2023
Unleaded UL94 avgas now available at Centennial — first in Colorado (CPA) Colorado's Centennial Airport (APA) began offering unleaded UL94 avgas, marking the first availability of this fuel in the state and supporting the FAA's transition away from leaded 100LL avgas. This milestone expands options for GA pilots seeking lower-emissions fuel and helps normalize the shift toward unleaded alternatives across Colorado's pilot community.
May 3, 2023
Residents still have concerns after Centennial Airport becomes first to use unleaded fuel (CBS Colorado) # Centennial Airport Fuel Development Synopsis Centennial Airport (KAPA) became the first Colorado airport to transition to unleaded aviation fuel, marking progress toward reducing lead emissions from general aviation; however, surrounding residents continue to express concerns about the environmental and health impacts of airport operations.
Feb 12, 2023
Neighbors near Centennial Airport complain of increased traffic and noise (YouTube) I appreciate the request, but the provided article excerpt appears to be only YouTube platform metadata and doesn't contain actual article content about fuel or environmental developments. To write an accurate synopsis for the CPA timeline, I would need the full article text discussing the specific fuel or environmental issues related to the increased airport activity. Could you provide the complete article content?
Watch: Neighbors near Centennial Airport complain of increased traffic and noise

Resources & Official Documents

FAA Video: Flying In and Around KAPA

Related

Noise Abatement (KAPA) Fuel & Environmental Landing Fees Community Value Legislative Tracker Airport Network Report an Issue

This page is maintained by the CPA Advocacy Committee as a factual resource for pilots and community members. Suggest an update or correction

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