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Centennial Airport (APA/KAPA) is a busy general aviation reliever airport about 15 miles south of downtown Denver in Arapahoe County, Colorado. Opened in 1967 as Arapahoe County Airport and renamed Centennial Airport in 1983, it is one of the busiest general aviation airports in the United States. It has three runways, a control tower, and extensive FBO and corporate aviation facilities, but no scheduled commercial airline service.
💡 Local Tip
Centennial sits at about 5,885 feet, so hot summer days mean high-density altitude and reduced aircraft performance; also check the Denver TAC and NOTAMs because the airport is under Class B airspace and often busy. For a break, The Perfect Landing restaurant on the field is a local favorite for runway views.
🚖 Getting There
Rental cars, rideshare, and taxis are the main options; Centennial Airport does not have a direct light rail or train station. By car, access is typically via I-25 to Arapahoe Road or Lincoln Avenue, or via E-470 to Peoria Street, with drive times to downtown Denver around 20-35 minutes depending on traffic. Some FBOs can arrange courtesy shuttles or rental car pickup, so confirm with your operator in advance.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Centennial Airport have commercial airline service?
A: No, Centennial Airport is a general aviation reliever airport and does not have scheduled passenger airline service. Commercial flights operate from Denver International Airport (DEN).
Q: How far is Centennial Airport from downtown Denver?
A: It is roughly 15 miles south of downtown Denver, typically a 20- to 35-minute drive depending on traffic.
Q: What is the airport code for Centennial Airport?
A: The IATA code is APA, the ICAO code is KAPA, and the FAA identifier is APA.
Q: What types of aircraft use Centennial Airport?
A: It primarily serves private, corporate, charter, flight-training, and medical aircraft, with three runways and full FBO services.
AI-generated content · Generated Sep 30, 2026 · deepseek-v4.1-flash