Centennial Airport Earns National Recognition for Snow and Ice Control Excellence Receives Honorable Mention for the 2024/2025 Balchen/Post Award by the American Association of Airport Executives 

Centennial Airport (APA) has been recognized with an Honorable Mention for the prestigious 2024/2025 Balchen/Post Award, presented annually by the Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) at the International Aviation Snow Symposium (IASS) in Buffalo, NY. The award honors airport teams that demonstrate excellence in snow and ice control efforts to keep their airports safe and operational. Director of Maintenance Matt Smith and Maintenance Technician II Justin Spagnolo accepted the award on behalf of Centennial Airport.

This recognition highlights the tireless work of Centennial Airport’s Snow Team. This team includes the Maintenance Department, a six-person team that remains on duty for the entirety of each storm and is responsible for the hands-on snow removal—operating the plows, brooms, and blowers that keep the airfield clear. Their efforts are part of a broader, coordinated response that includes the Operations Department and support from airport leadership, who manage snow removal operations in real-time by coordinating with air traffic, tenants, and airport users. Together, all work toward a common goal: keeping runways, taxiways, and ramps safe and operational in all weather conditions.

Throughout the 2024/2025 snow season, the airport received 78.5 inches of snow across several storms, including one that brought 18 inches in a single event. As an airport that operates 24/7/365, maintaining continuous operations is critical—especially in support of approximately 14 lifesaving medevac flights per day (supporting 5,292 operations in 2024). Centennial Airport serves as a regional hub for major air-ambulance providers transporting patients, blood, and organs throughout Colorado and across the country. 

The Balchen/Post Award was established to honor outstanding snow and ice control programs and is considered one of the highest recognitions for airports in the general aviation, commercial, and military categories. Centennial Airport’s Honorable Mention places it among the top airports nationwide in the Large General Aviation Airport category.