U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) are welcoming $21,239,759 from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for upgrades at airports across New Mexico.
These grants are funded by Congress through the FAA’s Airport Infrastructure Grant Program and the Airport Improvement Program. Upgrades will be made at the Santa Fe Regional Airport, Las Cruces International Airport, and Taos Regional Airport.
Other airports that also received funding include Lea County Regional Airport, Lordsburg Municipal Airport, Crownpoint Airport, Springer Municipal Airport, Carrizozo Municipal Airport, Andrew Othole Memorial Airport, Artesia Municipal Airport, Portales Municipal Airport, Deming City Airport, Clayton Municipal Airport, Roswell Air Center, Hatch Municipal Airport, and Las Vegas Municipal Airport.
“Investing in New Mexico’s airports means more jobs, economic growth, and opportunities for New Mexico families,” said Heinrich, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “I am pleased to have secured $21.2 million to make improvements at airports across our state and I will keep fighting to bring investments home to modernize our airports and drive our state’s economic growth for the future.”
“I’m proud to welcome over $21.2 million in federal funding for airports across New Mexico. From the Navajo Nation to Hobbs, these investments will support over two dozen projects that will strengthen the infrastructure of our airports,” said Luján. “This investment will help improve safety, support local jobs, and ensure our airports are better equipped to serve New Mexicans and everyone who visits the Land of Enchantment.”
“Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues to deliver on critical projects for communities across New Mexico – that’s why we worked so hard to pass that historic law during my first term in congress. I’m excited to welcome over $21 million to improve airports across the state and my district,” said Leger Fernández. “These resources will repair and upgrade runways, lighting, and safety equipment so our airports can better serve families, small businesses, and tribal communities. These investments pave the path for all of New Mexico to become a travel hub whether it’s at Crownpoint, Hobbs, Lovington, Springer, Santa Fe, Zuni, Artesia, Portales, Taos, Clayton, Roswell, or Las Vegas – these airports keep us connected to each other.”
“From updating an automated weather observation system at Las Cruces International to modernizing lighting and taxiways at Lea County Regional, these federal grants for New Mexico’s airports will help keep our communities safe and connected for decades to come,” said Vasquez.
“So proud of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which we helped pass—and which continues to deliver for New Mexico,” said Stansbury. “The announcement of $21 million for airports across the state will be transformational. Airports are hubs for travel, trade, and connectivity, and these upgrades will support local jobs and ensure New Mexico stays connected to the rest of the world. I’m proud to have helped secure this funding and am grateful for these upgrades!”
The breakdown of the FAA funding for New Mexico is below:
FAA Funding for New Mexico
| Airport | Project Description | Grant Amount |
| Santa Fe Regional Airport | This grant funds phase two of reconstructing 72,470 square yards of the existing North Apron pavement that has reached the end of its useful life. Phase 2 includes the reconstruction of 26,020 square yards. An Airport Improvement Program grant funds the remaining eligible portion of the project. | $2,990,664 |
| Santa Fe Regional Airport | This grant funds phase two of reconstructing 72,470 square yards of the existing North Apron pavement that has reached the end of its useful life. Phase 2 includes the reconstruction of 26,020 square yards. An Airport Infrastructure Program grant funds the remaining eligible portion of the project. | $1,509,336 |
| Las Cruces International Airport | This funds a portion of a project to replace the existing automated weather observing system. An Airport Infrastructure grant funds the remaining eligible portion of the project. | $443,282 |
| Taos Regional Airport | This grant funds the design phase for a project that includes reconstructing lighting systems and the precision approach path indicator system for Runway 4/22. The project will also rehabilitate 5,504 feet of the existing paved Runway 4/22. | $513,000 |
| Clayton Municipal Airpark | This grant funds both design and construction for a project to rehabilitate 4,105 feet of the existing paved Runway 12/30 and reconstruct the lighting system for Runway 12/30. This project also includes acquiring and installing a new wind cone navigational aid to provide pilots with critical airfield information. | $3,057,124 |
| Lea County Regional Airport | This grant reconstructs existing Runway 13/31 lighting that has reached the end of its useful life. | $1,968,750 |
| State of New Mexico Department of Transportation | This project will update the existing New Mexico airport system plan. | $1,924,968 |
| Las Vegas Municipal Airport | Constructs 30,200 feet of wildlife fencing and 6 gates to enhance safety. | $1,346,796 |
| Lea County Regional Airport | Funds the final construction phase of reconstructing 1,320 feet of existing Taxiway A pavement. | $1,300,000 |
| Roswell Air Center | This project rehabilitates 1,700 feet of existing paved Taxiway C. | $1,242,165 |
| Lea County Regional Airport | This project reconstructs 1,300 feet of existing paved Taxiways B and E pavement that have reached the end of their useful lives. | $1,100,000 |
| Zip Franklin Memorial Airport | This grant funds a portion of reconstructing the existing Runway 12/30 lighting that has reached the end of its useful life. An Airport Improvement Program grant funds the remaining eligible portion of the project. | $434,735 |
| Springer Municipal Airport | This project constructs a new building to safely store and power the equipment that controls the lights on the airfield, such as runway and taxiway lights, so planes can take off and land safely. | $400,000 |
| Portales Municipal Airport | This grant funds the final phase of installing a precision approach path indicator system for Runway 1/19. | $360,908 |
| Lea County Regional Airport | This grant funds a portion of the final phase of reconstructing existing Runway 1/19 lighting that has reached the end of its useful life. An Airport Improvement Program grant funds the remaining eligible portion of the project. | $336,000 |
| Deming Municipal Airport | This grant funds the design phase, for a project to rehabilitate 8,018 feet of existing paved Taxiway A and will reseal 8,018 feet of existing Runway 8/26 pavement. | $337,127 |
| Carrizozo Municipal Airport | This project installs the precision approach path indicator system for Runway 6/24. | $333,000 |
| Lordsburg Municipal Airport | This grant funds a portion of the final phase of constructing 18,253 feet of perimeter fencing. An Airport Improvement Program grant funds the remaining eligible portion of the project. | $323,483 |
| Crownpoint Airport | This project updates the existing airport layout plan with master plan narrative. | $250,000 |
| Hatch Municipal Airport | This grant funds a portion of the final phase, which consists of construction of a project to reconstruct 4,070 square yards of the existing General Aviation Apron pavement. An Airport Infrastructure grant funds the remaining eligible portion of the project. | $228,727 |
| Springer Municipal Airport | Funds the preliminary design phase for a project to rehabilitate 5,003 feet of existing paved Runway 01/19. | $200,000 |
| Crownpoint Airport | This grant funds the design and rehabilitation of 1,050 feet of existing airport entrance access road to extend its useful life. | $190,000 |
| Artesia Municipal | This project rehabilitates and designs 6,800 feet of existing paved Runway 4/22 to maintain the structural integrity and minimize foreign object debris to extend its useful life. This grant is associated with an Airport Improvement Program grant. | $188,344 |
| Santa Fe Regional Airport | This grant funds the design phase of a project to reconstruct existing equipment that controls the airfield light system. | $166,350 |
| Andrew Othole Memorial Airport | This grant funds the design phase of a project to construct a new 1,600 square foot snow removal equipment building to allow the airport to meet current standards. | $95,000 |
