Centennial Airport OKs scheduled service

In what could be the last episode of a long, contentious drama, the authority for Denver Centennial Airport (APA) on April 11 rescinded its ban on scheduled service, but only for aircraft with nine or fewer passenger seats. The move restores eligibility for up to $3 million in federal funding for APA. The authority took its action in anticipation of the FAA’s approving a change in regulations (now part of an NPRM) to lower the cutoff aircraft seating capacity of its Part 139 airport certification requirements to nine or fewer seats from 30 or fewer. In 1993, Centennial Express Airlines began a back-and-forth legal battle by initiating scheduled service at APA. Just last month, Centennial Express wrote, “[Since] 30 seats or fewer…remains the minimum number…we feel is necessary for viable passengers service…we are formally withdrawing our application to operate scheduled airline service at Centennial Airport.”