Englewood, CO – Centennial Airport proudly announces the addition of two state-of-the-art snow removal vehicles to its fleet, significantly enhancing the airport’s ability to maintain clear and safe runways during Colorado’s severe winter weather. This investment is critical in supporting emergency air ambulance services provided by tenants and users such as Children’s Hospital Colorado, Flight for Life Colorado, and iCare Ambulance, ensuring they can operate without interruption when every second counts.

In 2025, Centennial Airport supported 6,107 lifesaving flights, averaging 16.7 medical evacuation (Medevac) operations per day.

Lifesaving Impact

Centennial Airport plays a vital role in ensuring that emergency medical flights continue to operate during harsh winter conditions. Air ambulance tenants and users depend on the airport’s readiness to support their lifesaving missions:

• Children’s Hospital Colorado transports approximately 700 to 750 patients annually with their two aircraft based at Centennial Airport, including some as young as 22 weeks old. They average 2-3 departures per day from Centennial Airport alone. The dedicated Children’s One emergency transport teams provide critical care transports to Children’s Hospital Colorado and additional facilities across the region.

• Flight for Life Colorado, part of CommonSpirit Health, conducts over 720 fixed-wing arrivals and departures at Centennial Airport annually. Operated by Mayo Aviation, the program utilizes three rotating, medically configured turboprop aircraft – two of which are based at Centennial Airport, with one serving as the active aircraft and the other as backup. Flight for Life Colorado is the nation’s first and one of the most accomplished critical care transport programs.

• iCare Ambulance seamlessly transferred over 2,680 patients and organs between Centennial Airport and local hospitals last year (2024). With specialized training for navigating airfields, their team works exclusively for air medical and air ambulance operators, ensuring a smooth handoff for critical patients and organ transplants.

“Centennial Airport plays a vital role in the chain of survival by connecting nearly 16 million people across surrounding states to the expert care provided by Denver’s specialty hospitals” said Ryan Holland, Chief of iCare Ambulance LLC.

About the New Equipment

The airport’s new snow removal vehicles feature advanced technology that combines plowing, sweeping, and blowing capabilities into one unit. Key benefits include:

• Enhanced Efficiency: Faster and more effective snow clearing, reducing runway downtime.
• Multi-Functionality: Ability to adapt quickly to changing weather conditions.
• Improved Safety: Provides a cleaner surface for aircraft, enhancing operational safety during takeoff and landing.
• Supporting Lifesaving Missions: Emergency air ambulance services rely on Centennial Airport’s readiness to perform urgent medical flights, regardless of weather conditions.

As Colorado prepares for another winter, Centennial Airport’s investment in advanced snow removal equipment underscores its unwavering commitment to supporting critical medical services and ensuring the safety and reliability of all its operations.

“Our commitment to keeping the runways operational during winter storms is essential for the lifesaving missions carried out by our air ambulance tenants and users,” said Samantha Blymyer, Manager of Communications/PIO of Centennial Airport. “The new equipment enhances our snow clearing efficiency, directly impacting the ability to provide critical medical care to those in need.”

Link to hi-res image and videos, available for use with credit to Centennial Airport:  Centennial Airport Medevac_Snow Removal