Centennial Airport

What Centennial Airport does

Centennial Airport (KAPA) is a public-use general aviation airport located in Englewood, Colorado, serving the Denver metropolitan area. It is owned and operated by the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority (ACPAA), a quasi-governmental special district governed by a board of commissioners appointed by Arapahoe County and Douglas County. Founded in 1968, the airport is ranked the 36th busiest in the United States out of approximately 5,000 public-use airports, processing 75,243 aircraft operations YTD Q1 2026 and averaging 836 operations per day. The infrastructure includes three runways (10,001 ft, 7,001 ft, and 4,800 ft) and a 24/7 Air Traffic Control Tower, supporting general aviation, small cargo, FBOs, medevac operations (6,107 lifesaving flights in 2025), and military activity.

The airport's core service portfolio is organized into operational divisions rather than a unified technology platform. Principal offerings include Airfield Operations, FBO coordination (five FBOs: jetCenters of Colorado, Modern Aviation, Signature Aviation North and South, The Heliplex), U.S. Customs services for international arrivals (312 international arrivals Q1 2026), a first-in-Colorado UL94 Unleaded Avgas Program launched in May 2023, and Noise Management Services including a current Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study Update (2023-2026). Supporting initiatives include community programs (Runway 5K with over 1,800 participants, weekly public tours, board meetings), scholarships of up to $10,000 annually, and an internship program that has trained over 100 interns since 1986.

Centennial Airport generates revenue through a diversified stream tied to aviation activity: fuel flowage fees on Jet A, 100LL, and UL94 (3.65M gallons of Jet A sold in Q1 2026 alone), landing fees, hangar and facility rentals to FBO tenants, U.S. Customs user fees (weight-based), gate access card fees, and Colorado Aeronautical Board grants ($300K in 2024 and $350K in 2025). Discretionary grants are immaterial to overall scale. The Centennial Airport Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit subsidiary supporting aviation education, scholarships, and community grants to organizations including Flight for Life and Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum.

Name

Centennial Airport

Legal name

Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority

Website

https://centennialairport.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Centennial Airport (KAPA) is a public-use general aviation airport in Englewood, Colorado, operated by the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority, serving the Denver metro area with 24/7 airfield operations, five FBOs, U.S. Customs services, and the first UL94 unleaded avgas program in Colorado.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

General Aviation Airport Services

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Other Airport Operations (488119)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Aviation Infrastructure Agencies (Public Airports, Airfield Ops, Ground Access) (BPAIALAE)

Keywords

• General aviation services
• Airport operations
• Aviation fuel services
• Airfield infrastructure
• FBO services

Headquarters

HQ city

Englewood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Fuel Sales: Revenue from Jet A, 100LL, and UL94 unleaded avgas sold through FBOs. Q1 2026: 3,476,114 gallons Jet A, 137,791 gallons 100LL, 31,836 gallons UL94 sold.
2. Landing Fees and Facility Rentals: Fees charged to aircraft operators for landing and hangar/office rentals to tenants.
3. Government Grants: Colorado Aeronautical Board grants: $300,000 in 2024, $350,000 in 2025 for UL94 fuel subsidy program.
4. User Fees: Fees for U.S. Customs services (based on aircraft MGTOW), gate card access ($20 first card), public records requests ($41.37/hour after first 60 min).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Centennial Airport (KAPA) operates a public-use general aviation airport on behalf of the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority, providing 24/7 airfield operations across three runways with an Air Traffic Control Tower, fixed base operator (FBO) services, on-demand U.S. Customs clearance, and aviation fuel sales including the Swift UL94 Unleaded Avgas program. It also delivers noise management and community programs (Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study, CACNR, Runway 5K, Airport Tours, scholarship program) for the Denver metropolitan aviation community.

Product overview

Centennial Airport (KAPA) is a general aviation airport operated by the Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority. The airport's offerings are organized as operational service divisions rather than a unified software platform. Core offerings include Airfield Operations with 24/7 services and three runways, the Swift UL94 Unleaded Avgas Program (first in Colorado), Noise Management Services including Part 150 studies and CACNR, FBO Services with multiple operators, U.S. Customs Services for international arrivals, and Community Programs including Airport Tours, Board Meetings, and Scholarship Programs. Supporting infrastructure includes Development Resources for airport development and various Airport Projects. The MyAPAalert notification system provides emergency alerts to users.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Centennial Airport Foundation: A designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization created to support the advancement of aviation through educational scholarships and aviation-centered awards.

Products and services

• Airfield Operations 24/7 airfield operations ensuring safety and efficiency of the airport, including three runways (10,000 ft, 7,001 ft, and 4,800 ft), Air Traffic Control Tower, and emergency response for pilots and aircraft operators.
• Swift UL94 Unleaded Avgas Program Fuel subsidy program covering the price difference between 100LL low-lead and UL94 unleaded avgas, plus a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) reimbursement program of up to $110 per based aircraft. Available to pilots and aircraft operators at Centennial Airport.
• Noise Management Services Comprehensive noise management including the Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study, Community Noise Roundtable (CACNR), voluntary noise abatement guidelines, noise complaint reporting, and a dedicated noise website. Targeted at surrounding communities, pilots, and aircraft operators.
• FBO Services Fixed Base Operator services including fuel, maintenance, hangar and tie-down, and pilot support through five on-field FBOs: jetCenters of Colorado, Modern Aviation, Signature Aviation (North and South), and The Heliplex (helicopter specialist). Available to general aviation pilots and aircraft operators.
• U.S. Customs Services On-demand 24/7 U.S. Customs services with a certified customs agent available for international arrivals clearances into the United States. Fees are determined by aircraft Maximum Gross Takeoff Weight (MGTOW), with after-hours clearances billed at 2x normal rate. Targeted at international aircraft operators and corporate flight departments.
• Airport Tours Public 1-hour presentations in the Wright Brothers Room followed by bus tours around the airport. Available to community members and aviation enthusiasts on a weekly basis with limited capacity.
• Aviation Scholarship Program Annual aviation scholarships supporting the next generation of aviation professionals, with awards up to $10,000 in three categories: aviation management, professional pilot, and aircraft maintenance / A&P mechanic. Available to Colorado residents pursuing aviation careers.
• Development Resources Master planning, development policies, tenant signage, and construction requirements for airport tenants and developers. Includes access to the Airport Master Plan and Layout Plan (ALP). Targeted at current and prospective tenants and developers on the airfield.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6,107 lifesaving medevac operations in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Mead & HuntcoreTechnology or IntegrationLead consultant for Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study Update (2023-2026) along with partners HMMH and C&S Companies. Also involved in Air Traffic Control Tower major repairs project.
• HMMHcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study Update (2023-2026). Previously updated NEMs in 2016 producing 2016 Existing Noise Map and 2021 Future Noise Map.
• C&S CompaniescoreTechnology or IntegrationPartner in Part 150 Noise Compatibility Study Update (2023-2026) alongside Mead & Hunt and HMMH.
• Swift FuelscoreTechnology or IntegrationUL94 unleaded avgas fuel provider. FAA-approved alternative fuel meeting ASTM D7547 specification, first offered at Centennial Airport in May 2023.
• Centennial Airport Community Noise Roundtable (CACNR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated May 2009 to explore ways to reduce and mitigate aircraft noise impact. Comprised of local elected officials, community appointees, airport staff, FAA, and CDOT.
• jetCenters of ColoradocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFBO offering Swift UL94 unleaded avgas at Centennial Airport. Current hiring partner of the Centennial Airport Foundation.
• Signature AviationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFBO with two locations at Centennial Airport (North and South) providing aviation services and fuel.
• Modern AviationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFBO at Centennial Airport providing aviation services. Current and past Foundation donor.
• The HeliplexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFBO at Centennial Airport specializing in helicopter services.
• VitalantminorOthersBlood drive partner - hosts periodic blood drives at the airport's Wright Brothers Conference Room.
• International JetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFBO and current Foundation donor. Promoted on airport website homepage alongside jetCenters of Colorado.
• Duncan AviationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness aviation services provider and current Foundation donor.
• Mayo AviationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviation services provider and current Foundation donor.
• NetJetscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate jet services provider and current Foundation donor.
• Arapahoe CountycoreOthersAppoints Board of Commissioners to Arapahoe County Public Airport Authority. Douglas County also appoints ex-officio members.
• Flight for LifeminorOthersAnnual recipient of Foundation contributions.
• Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space MuseumminorOthersAnnual recipient of Foundation contributions and host of initial public information meeting for Part 150 Study.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC): Closest direct peer — another busy Colorado general aviation airport serving the Denver metro from Broomfield. Competes head-to-head for FBO tenants, corporate flight departments, fuel sales, and flight training within the same Front Range catchment.
• Fort Worth Meacham International Airport (KFTW): City-operated GA reliever airport within the Dallas-Fort Worth metro offering FBO services, flight training, and corporate aviation — comparable to Centennial's municipal-authority operating model and tenant mix.
• Van Nuys Airport (KVNY): One of the busiest GA airports in the United States, serving the Los Angeles metro. Comparable scale of operations, FBO ecosystem, and exposure to dense urban noise/community issues make it a relevant operational peer.
• Scottsdale Airport (KSDL): High-volume GA airport serving the Phoenix metro with a similar mix of FBOs (Signature, Atlantic), flight schools, and corporate jet traffic — a close structural analog for Centennial within another high-growth Sun Belt metro.
• Addison Airport (KADS): Busy GA reliever airport inside the Dallas metro with a strong FBO base and corporate flight activity — a structural twin to Centennial in terms of urban-adjacent GA operations and tenant economics.
• Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL): Regional GA airport between Fort Collins and Loveland that competes with Centennial for Front Range pilot training, FBO placement, and corporate GA traffic — particularly for operators willing to drive north of Denver.
• Falcon Field Airport (KFFZ): Mesa, Arizona GA airport with a similar mix of flight training, corporate aviation, and FBO service — comparable to Centennial in scale and tenant profile within another fast-growing Sun Belt metro.

Broad incumbents

• Atlantic Aviation: Major U.S. FBO chain competing with Signature and Modern Aviation for Centennial-adjacent fuel and hangar tenants; relevant peer for benchmarking FBO service economics and pricing on which Centennial's fuel throughput depends.
• Signature Aviation: Largest global FBO network and one of Centennial's on-airport tenants (two locations). Comparable as an aviation services operator; functions as both peer and channel partner because its network strategy shapes FBO economics at Centennial and competing airports.

Regional players

• Eagle County Regional Airport (KEGE): Colorado regional airport near Vail serving ski-season corporate jet traffic and general aviation. Comparable in regulatory model (county-operated) and exposure to Colorado aviation demand, though seasonal rather than year-round like Centennial.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FlyCentennial
• Facebookfacebook.com/flycentennial

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Centennial Airport