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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 fvhuJQubVmeMkpdbd2QFog==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001113487-04-000001.txt : 20040206
<SEC-HEADER>0001113487-04-000001.hdr.sgml : 20040206
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040206152853
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001113487-04-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	5
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031231
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040206

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			AQUILA  INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000066960
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
		IRS NUMBER:				440541877
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		20 WEST NINTH STREET
		STREET 2:		--
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64105-1711
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8164216600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		20 WEST NINTH STREET
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64105-1711

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	UTILICORP UNITED INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	MISSOURI PUBLIC SERVICE CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19850516

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HOCKADAY IRVINE O JR
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001113487

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		5
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-03562
		FILM NUMBER:		04574047

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2600 GRAND AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 480
		CITY:			KANSAS CITY
		STATE:			MO
		ZIP:			64108
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8162748005
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>5
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>5</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <form3HoldingsReported>0</form3HoldingsReported>

    <form4TransactionsReported>0</form4TransactionsReported>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000066960</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>AQUILA  INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ILA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001113487</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HOCKADAY IRVINE O JR</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>20 W. 9TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>KANSAS CITY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MO</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>64105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType></transactionFormType>
            </transactionCoding>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>34418.4965</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Leslie J. Parrette for Irvine O. Hockaday, Jr.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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