Centennial Airport (KAPA) is the primary general aviation reliever for Denver, sitting 13 miles southeast of downtown in the suburbs of Englewood and Greenwood Village. It is consistently among the top five busiest GA airports in the United States, and for charter brokers it is the practical Denver answer to bizjet operations — KDEN is so far from the city core and so airline-congested that almost every private movement in the Denver metro routes through KAPA instead. Four FBOs (Signature, Modern Aviation, TAC Air, and Jet Center) handle the traffic.
The runway environment is straightforward — 17L/35R at 10,002 feet handles everything up to ultra-long-range — but the operating environment is anything but. KAPA's field elevation is 5,883 feet, and density altitude on a hot Colorado summer afternoon (90°F+ on the ramp is common in July) can push effective performance altitudes north of 8,500 feet. That matters enough that most flight departments based at KAPA run formal runway-analysis software, and brokers booking heavy-jet charters out of KAPA in summer routinely confirm tankering and payload assumptions in writing. Approaches to the Front Range can also be turbulent in winter when downslope winds pour off the Rockies — a known, briefable hazard but one that occasionally drives weather diversions.
Frequently asked questions about Centennial Airport
What is KAPA airport?+
KAPA is the ICAO code for Centennial Airport (IATA APA), located in Denver, CO.
What does APA stand for?+
APA is the IATA code for Centennial Airport (ICAO KAPA) in Denver, CO.
Where is Centennial Airport?+
Centennial Airport is located in Denver, CO.
Does Centennial Airport have commercial airline service?+
No — Centennial Airport does not receive scheduled airline flights. It primarily serves general aviation, private charter, and corporate operators.
How long is the runway at Centennial Airport?+
The longest runway at Centennial Airport measures 10,001 ft (3,048 m).
What is the elevation of Centennial Airport?+
Centennial Airport sits at 5,885 ft above sea level.
What timezone is Centennial Airport in?+
Centennial Airport operates on America/Denver.
How many private-jet empty legs are available at Centennial Airport?+
SkyAccess currently tracks 50 departing and 95 arriving private-jet empty legs at Centennial Airport over the next six months. Browse and book each leg with a free account.