Key Takeaways
- The Denver City Council rejected a contract between Key Lime Air and Denver International Airport due to the airline’s involvement in transporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees.
- The rejected lease would have provided Key Lime Air with 1,200 square feet of space on the airport’s south cargo apron for snow removal equipment, employee parking, and an office trailer.
- The vote may impact $90 million in federal grant money for the airport, as the city cannot treat airlines differently under the grant agreement.
- Key Lime Air will still be able to use a common storage area shared with other airlines for free, and its operations at the airport will not be affected.
- The decision was made in response to concerns about the airline’s role in supporting the Trump administration’s deportation efforts.
Introduction to the Controversy
The Denver City Council’s decision to reject a contract between Key Lime Air and Denver International Airport has sparked a heated debate about the airline’s involvement in transporting ICE detainees. The proposed lease would have provided Key Lime Air with 1,200 square feet of space on the airport’s south cargo apron, but the city council ultimately decided to reject the agreement due to the airline’s controversial activities. This decision has significant implications for the airport and the city, and it is essential to understand the context and reasoning behind the council’s vote.
Background on Key Lime Air
Key Lime Air is a Colorado-based company that has operated out of Denver International Airport since 2006. The airline runs a cargo feeder service for UPS and the passenger airline Denver Air Connection from the airport. However, in October, it was reported that two of the company’s planes have been ferrying people detained by ICE across the country. This news sparked protests at the airline’s headquarters at the Centennial Airport and the University of Colorado Boulder, which uses the company to fly its basketball teams. The controversy surrounding Key Lime Air’s activities has been ongoing, and the city council’s decision is a response to the concerns raised by the community.
The City Council’s Decision
The city council’s vote to reject the lease was largely driven by concerns about Key Lime Air’s role in supporting the Trump administration’s deportation efforts. Councilwoman Flor Alvidrez explained her no vote, stating that "we have to send a message, and we have to push back in any way we can, because what is happening is absolutely horrible to our community." The proposed lease would have provided Key Lime Air with space for snow removal equipment, employee parking, and an office trailer, but the council ultimately decided that the airline’s activities were not aligned with the city’s values. Eleven of the 13 council members voted to reject the lease, with Councilman Kevin Flynn being the lone vote in favor of the measure.
Potential Consequences of the Vote
The city council’s decision may have significant consequences for the airport, including the potential loss of $90 million in federal grant money from the Federal Aviation Administration. According to Councilwoman Sarah Parady, the grant agreement requires the city to treat all airlines equally, and the rejected lease may be seen as discriminatory. However, Parady emphasized that she was more concerned with the Trump administration’s deportation efforts than any potential impact on the airport budget. The airport’s nearly $2 billion budget is separately funded from the rest of the city, and Parady noted that the potential loss of grant money would be a relatively small proportion of the airport’s overall budget.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Denver City Council’s decision to reject the contract between Key Lime Air and Denver International Airport is a significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding the airline’s activities. The decision reflects the city’s commitment to upholding its values and responding to the concerns of the community. While the potential consequences of the vote are still uncertain, it is clear that the city council is willing to take a stand against the airline’s involvement in transporting ICE detainees. As the situation continues to unfold, it will be essential to monitor the impact of the city council’s decision and ensure that the airport and the city are held accountable for their actions.