Denver approves Key Lime Air's contract despite ICE ties

State of play: Council voted 11–1 to approve a three-year agreement allowing the Centennial-based airline to continue operating at DIA starting in January.

• The vote, delayed by a week amid concerns over the airline's contract work with ICE, came alongside approvals for several other airline agreements.

Yes, but: Councilmember Kevin Flynn warned that rejecting the contract could cause "irredeemable harm to the airport's current and future fiscal health."

• City Attorney Miko Brown said having a contract in place gives DIA leverage to enforce its terms — including potentially fining Key Lime for violations.

Between the lines: Federal rules limit Denver's ability to turn away qualified airlines.

• Rejecting the agreement could violate federal law, DIA chief financial officer Michael Biel warned Tuesday.

Follow the money: The contract gives Key Lime access to lower rates and fees than airlines operating without such agreements.

• Without an agreement, airlines can pay nearly 25% more to operate at DIA, airport executive George Karayiannakis said during a committee meeting last month.

What they're saying: Key Lime didn't respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

• The airline plans to operate passenger service locally, not deportation flights, Denverite reported last month.