Denver City Council approved a three-year operating agreement for Key Lime Air on Tuesday, allowing the Centennial-based airline to continue at Denver International Airport starting in January despite concerns about its work connected to federal immigration enforcement. The 11–1 vote followed a one-week delay and came alongside approvals for agreements with several other airlines. The debate centered on whether Denver could reject Key Lime’s contract without exposing the airport to legal challenges or financial harm. Councilmember Kevin Flynn warned that turning down the agreement could cause “irredeemable harm to the airport’s current and future fiscal health.” DIA Chief Financial Officer Michael Biel also cautioned that refusing the contract could violate federal law, which limits an airport’s ability to exclude airlines that meet the requirements to operate there. The agreement gives Key Lime access to lower airport rates and fees than airlines operating without contracts. At a committee meeting last month, airport executive George Karayiannakis said airlines without such agreements could pay nearly 25% more to operate at DIA. City Attorney Miko Brown said having a contract in place gives the airport a way to enforce its terms, including potentially imposing fines if the airline violates them. Key Lime’s ties to immigration enforcement put the council in a difficult position: members faced pressure over the airline’s role in deportation flights while also considering the consequences of denying an agreement at a major public airport. The airline has said it plans to provide local passenger service, rather than deportation flights. Key Lime did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.