Reliever Airports
Reliever Airports
Three reliever airports – those designated by the FAA to relieve traffic at primary airports and provide other aviation services – are strategically located throughout Metro Denver. These airports are among the fastest growing in the country and are driving expansion in Metro Denver's aviation industry cluster.
To promote aviation growth in Colorado, the state provides a "Colorado Aircraft Manufacturer New Employee Tax Credit" of $1,200 per new employee to companies located in an aviation development zone.
Also, the 2008 Colorado legislature abolished the “fly-away” sales tax on planes manufactured in Colorado and sold in other states or countries. The legislation was key to the region's burgeoning light jet manufacturing sector.
Centennial Airport
The major local reliever airport for Denver International Airport (DIA), Centennial Airport is the nation's second busiest reliever airport. Centennial also has a user-fee designated U.S. Customs Office available 24 hours a day. Located near the Denver Tech Center, one of the region's largest employment areas, Centennial serves several Fortune 500 companies. Centennial is second behind DIA in creating new aviation jobs in Colorado.
Front Range Airport
Located six miles southeast of Denver International Airport (DIA), Front Range Airport is the region's only reliever airport without major residential areas nearby. In addition, Front Range has the nation's tallest general aviation tower. Adams County has funded $20 million in improvements at the Airport, supplementing $31.5 million invested by the FAA. Significant expansion is planned at the nearby TransPort development, a 5,000-acre hub for companies shipping and receiving cargo by air, road, or rail in Metro Denver.
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport
Located between downtown Denver and Boulder, Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport is the state's fourth busiest airport and offers an Instrument Landing System and a user-fee designated Customs Office available 24 hours a day. Home to the U.S. headquarters for Pilatus Business Aircraft, the Airport is bordered by the Interlocken Business Park and Westmoor Technology Park and houses corporate aviation facilities. The Airport is planning development on several parcels of nearby land.
General Aviation Airports
Colorado's commercial and general aviation airports not only form a cohesive system for commerce and air travel needs, but generate a $6.7 billion annual impact according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. Four general aviation airports are located Metro Denver and Northern Colorado:
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