Quarterly Airport Update

April–June, 2026

Quarter in Numbers

Aircraft Operations
View graphs

80,125

YTD: 155,368

Medevac Operations
View graph

1,732

YTD: 3,559

Aircraft operations by day of week graph
Top airports chart for aircraft operations
Medevac operations by day graph
Military Operations

768

YTD: 1,225

International Arrivals

174

YTD: 486

Jet A Fuel Sold

3,708,564 Gallons

YTD: 7,184,678 Gallons

100LL Fuel Sold

149,983 Gallons

YTD: 287,774 Gallons

UL94 Fuel Sold

27,170 Gallons

YTD: 59,006 Gallons

Snowfall Total

6.00"

YTD: 24.13"

Busiest Day of the Quarter

May 7, 2026

1,351 Operations

Average Operations per Day

880

Data Sources 

Aircraft operations are reported by the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. Medevac operations are provided by 1200.aero, international arrivals by the U.S. Customs office, and fuel sales by the airport's FBOs. While we make every effort to ensure these figures are as accurate as possible, minor discrepancies may occasionally occur.

 

 

Community Photo of the Quarter:

 Photo by Samuel Barton, @aviation.colorado

A fighter jet is taking off near an airport with a blurred background, showcasing its sleek design and military colors.

Runner Up Gallery

A red aerobatic airplane is performing in the sky, emitting smoke from its wings against a clear blue background.
Jonny Salbato, @machonephotography
An airplane is flying above a control tower against a clear blue sky, with buildings in the foreground.
Ryan Trujillo, @ryan_trujillo_photo
The image shows four helicopters flying above a landscape with a building and a blue sky dotted with clouds.
Barbara Hoversten, @bsh.aviation
A military aircraft, likely a fighter jet, is seen on the tarmac near a hangar with overcast skies in the background.
Jack Glenn, @jacked_afterburner
A jet aircraft is taking off at night, with flames seen from its engines and illuminated buildings in the background.
Jack O'Connor, @planephotographer_13
A pilot in a military jet cockpit with the canopy open, set against a clear blue sky.
Ben Votta, @classbravoaviation
May contain: animal, bird, flying, aircraft, airplane, transportation, vehicle, warplane, bomber, jet, and airliner
Ryder Williams, @centennial_aviation
A classic aircraft with spinning propellers, positioned on a runway with mountains in the background under clear skies.
Kaleb Gill, @kalebgphotos
The image shows a black military fighter jet in flight, featuring insignias and a number "12" on its tail.
@alpha_lima_aviation
A red aerobatic airplane is performing in the sky, emitting smoke from its wings against a clear blue background.
An airplane is flying above a control tower against a clear blue sky, with buildings in the foreground.
The image shows four helicopters flying above a landscape with a building and a blue sky dotted with clouds.
A military aircraft, likely a fighter jet, is seen on the tarmac near a hangar with overcast skies in the background.
A jet aircraft is taking off at night, with flames seen from its engines and illuminated buildings in the background.
A pilot in a military jet cockpit with the canopy open, set against a clear blue sky.
May contain: animal, bird, flying, aircraft, airplane, transportation, vehicle, warplane, bomber, jet, and airliner
A classic aircraft with spinning propellers, positioned on a runway with mountains in the background under clear skies.
The image shows a black military fighter jet in flight, featuring insignias and a number "12" on its tail.

Want to share your photo in the next Quarterly Airport Update? Submit your photo, name, and social media handle (optional) to Samantha at sblymyer@centennialairport.com

 

 

News & Updates this Quarter

▶ Celebrating Lorie Zarlengo's Distinguished Career

After 37 years of dedicated service, Assistant Airport Director Lorie Zarlengo has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Distinguished Service Award from the Colorado Division of Aeronautics in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Centennial Airport and the aviation industry. Since joining the airport as an Administrative Intern in 1990, Lorie has led airport operations, emergency management, and the Airport Management Internship Program while mentoring hundreds of aviation professionals throughout her career. We congratulate Lorie on this well-deserved honor and wish her all the best in her upcoming retirement.

A group of people poses outdoors, holding an award or plaque, under a tree, likely celebrating an achievement together.

 

▶ Zach Gabehart Named Assistant Airport Director

Congratulations to Zach Gabehart, who has been selected as Centennial Airport's next Assistant Airport Director. Since joining the airport as an intern, Zach has advanced through several roles, including Operations Specialist and Senior Planner for Noise & Environmental, gaining extensive experience in airport operations, emergency management, environmental programs, maintenance and construction, and stakeholder relations. Zach will officially assume his new position following Lorie Zarlengo's retirement in August, and we look forward to his continued leadership at Centennial Airport.

A smiling person in a blue suit and bowtie stands in front of a monument sign for Centennial Airport against a clear sky.

 

▶ Celebrating Kelly Dymond's 30 Years of Service

Congratulations to Chief Technology Officer Kelly Dymond on 30 years of dedicated service at Centennial Airport. Since joining the airport as an intern in 1996, Kelly has served in Operations and Planning & Development before spearheading the airport's Information Technology Department. Kelly's leadership and commitment have played an important role in the airport's continued success.

The image shows two groups: one with two men in formal attire and another with a man holding a small child, both smiling.
Left: CTO Kelly Dymond and Executive Director Mike Fronapfel, Right: Kelly Dymond and son in 2001

 

▶ 2026 Runway 5K, Hotdogs & Airplanes, Success!

The 2026 Centennial Airport Runway 5K, presented by jetCenters of Colorado, was our biggest event yet! The event sold out in a record six weeks, welcomed participants from 17 states and Croatia, and raised approx. $110,000 for the Centennial Airport Foundation. Thank you to our participants, volunteers, sponsors, and community for making this event such a tremendous success.

Aerial view of a busy airstrip with numerous people running, likely in a race or community event, under a clear blue sky.

 

▶ 2026 Scholarship Recipients Announced

Congratulations to our 2026 Centennial Airport Foundation Scholarship recipients! Kira Davis-Weber received the Aircraft Maintenance/A&P Mechanic Scholarship, Spencer Blackstock received the Robert P. Olislagers Memorial Scholarship for Aviation Management, and Hermela Lemma received the Robert Doubek Memorial Scholarship for Professional Pilot. We look forward to seeing each of them pursue their aviation careers.

The image features three individuals holding scholarship certificates, with a pilot in uniform next to an aircraft.

 

▶ Employment Opportunity

We're currently hiring for Maintenance Technician I position. If you're interested in helping keep one of the nation's busiest general aviation airports running safely and efficiently, we encourage you to apply through our Careers page.

An orange snowplow truck is parked on an airport runway with a control tower in the background under a clear blue sky.

 

▶ Internship Program is OPEN

Our Airport Management Internship Program is open for applications! Our 12-month, full-time Airport Management Internship can be one of the most beneficial additions to your college education and career pursuits. Visit our Internship Program page to learn more and apply today.

The image features various scenes related to aviation, including planes, an airport, firefighters, and people posing at an airstrip.

 

▶ Our Bees Are Back!

Approximately 360,000 new frequent fliers have arrived! Six beehives are back for the season, with each hive home to an estimated 60,000 bees. We're proud to partner with local beekeeper Tim Thompson, whose bees return each summer under his expert care, and support these vital pollinators as they settle in!

A beekeeper inspecting honeycombs in a hive, surrounded by hay bales and a scenic grassland under a cloudy sky.

 

 

 

Did you Know?

The Perfect Landing restaurant (above the jetCenters of Colorado FBO) is located in the airport's original hangar, built in 1968 when the airport was known as Arapahoe County Airport. The building originally served as Clinton Aviation's aircraft sales hangar.

Three black-and-white images of Clinton Aviation at Arapahoe County Airport, featuring aerial views and interior displays.

 

 

 

Aircraft Spotlight

North American T-28A Trojan as part of our static aircraft display at the 2026 Runway 5K event. Photographs by Rachel Jump.

May contain: airfield, airport, accessories, bag, handbag, clothing, footwear, shoe, person, aircraft, airplane, transportation, and vehicle

 

 

Want to Learn More about Centennial Airport?

Explore more about who we are, what we do, and the history behind one of the nation’s busiest general aviation airports: About Us | History

Follow Us @FlyCentennial

 

Stay Connected!

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