Albuquerque Airport: Size, Scale, And Scope Explored

The Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (ABQ) is the primary airport serving the state of New Mexico, USA. It is located 4 miles southeast of Albuquerque and is known for its distinct southwestern Pueblo Revival architecture and cultural décor. The airport handles around 5 million passengers annually, with 400 flights daily, and is served by 8 major carriers. ABQ is elevated at 5,355 feet and has three runways, the longest of which is 13,793 ft. The airport is committed to providing a safe, clean, and passenger-friendly facility for business and leisure travellers.

Passenger numbers

Albuquerque International Sunport, locally known as the Sunport, is the primary international airport serving the state of New Mexico, USA. It is located in Bernalillo County, 4 miles southeast of Albuquerque, and is ranked fifth among medium-sized airports in the US based on customer satisfaction surveys.

The airport handles around 5.4 million passengers annually, with some sources citing a figure of 5 million, and another stating 7 million. Over 400 flights pass through the airport each day, with around 200,000 aircraft movements per year. Southwest Airlines is the airport's largest carrier, accounting for over half of all passengers. Other major airlines serving the airport include Advanced Air, Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, Sun Country, and United.

The airport is known for its distinct Southwestern architecture and cultural decor, including a large art collection with rotating special exhibits and local New Mexican cuisine. It is also home to several unique annual events, such as the International Balloon Fiesta, which is held every October and attracts large crowds. The airport's terminal has three levels, with arrivals on Level 1, check-in on Level 2, and departures on Level 3. It is easily accessible by public transportation, with local 'Sun Tran' buses running to the downtown district daily except Sundays.

The airport is a major economic driver for the state, with an economic impact study in 2019 concluding that the airport generates $2.225 billion in economic output for New Mexico and supports 19,000 jobs directly or indirectly. The airport is owned and operated by the City of Albuquerque, which is committed to providing a safe, clean, and passenger-friendly facility for travellers.

Runway lengths

The Albuquerque International Sunport, locally known as the Sunport, is the primary international airport serving the state of New Mexico, USA. It is located in Bernalillo County, 4 miles southeast of Albuquerque, and is ranked as the state's largest commercial airport. The airport handles around 5 million passengers annually, with some sources citing a higher figure of 7 million, and over 400 flights daily.

The airport has three runways, each with its own unique length and directional orientation. The first runway, designated as RWY 08/26, is an east-west air carrier runway with a length of 13,793 feet. This runway is the longest of the three and facilitates the majority of commercial aircraft operations at the airport.

The second runway, RWY 03/21, has a length of 10,000 feet and runs in a northeast-southwest direction. This runway is also utilized by commercial airlines, particularly for departures and arrivals from/to the southwest region of the country.

The third runway, RWY 12/30, is dedicated to general aviation operations and has a length of 6,000 feet. This runway is oriented in a northwest-southeast direction and is primarily used by smaller aircraft, such as private planes and business jets, for their operations.

These runway lengths are carefully designed to accommodate the take-off and landing requirements of various aircraft types, ensuring safe and efficient operations at the Albuquerque International Sunport.

Elevation

The elevation of the Albuquerque International Sunport is 5,355 feet or 1632.204 meters above mean sea level. This elevation is very important for the actual performance of a plane. Generally, the lower the airport is located, the shorter the takeoff of the plane, and it will gain height more quickly. This has special significance on hot summer days when the temperature becomes another negative factor. On a hot day, a plane at a high altitude may have problems taking off if it is cargo-laden.

Albuquerque International Sunport, locally known as the Sunport, is the primary international airport serving the U.S. state of New Mexico, particularly the Albuquerque metropolitan area. It is located in Bernalillo County, between the Rio Grande and the Sandia Mountains, and is about 3 miles southeast of downtown Albuquerque. The airport is unique for its low-lying structure and Pueblo Revival architecture, which references Albuquerque's Tiwa and Hispano heritage and New Mexico's Pueblo and Nuevo México roots.

The Albuquerque Sunport opened in 1939 with two paved runways and a Pueblo Style terminal building designed by Ernest Blumenthal. The airport gained international status in 1971 and was renamed the Albuquerque International Airport. The terminal has been expanded several times since then, including in 1973 when a west wing was added with a large gate and jet bridge to accommodate new wide-body aircraft. The west wing was expanded again in 1980 with three more gates, and during the late 1980s, the terminal was significantly expanded and renovated.

Location

The Albuquerque International Sunport Airport (ABQ) is located in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, 4 miles (6.5 km) southeast of the city of Albuquerque. The airport is situated between the Rio Grande and the Sandia Mountains, east of Old Town and Barelas, and directly west of Sandia National Laboratories and Kirtland Air Force Base, with which it shares runways. The base also provides aircraft rescue and firefighting services for the airport.

Albuquerque International Sunport is conveniently located for access to the city of Albuquerque, which lies just 3 miles (5 km) northwest of the airport. The airport is served by local 'Sun Tran' buses, which run to the downtown district daily except for Sundays, as well as taxis and commercial shuttle bus operators. The airport also offers car rental services and has almost 4,000 parking spaces available.

The airport is known for its distinct Southwestern architecture and cultural décor, reflecting Albuquerque's Tiwa and Hispano heritage and New Mexico's Pueblo and Nuevo México roots. The terminal building features an adobe façade and is built in a low-lying Pueblo Revival style. The airport boasts a large art collection with rotating special exhibits, showcasing Southwestern art, and offers an array of local New Mexican cuisine and artisanal gifts.

Albuquerque International Sunport is New Mexico's largest commercial airport, serving as a gateway to the state and welcoming around 5 million passengers annually. The airport is served by 8 major carriers, offering non-stop service to over 20 destinations worldwide, and handles over 400 flights daily. The airport is a focus city for Southwest Airlines, which accounts for a significant portion of its passenger traffic.

Architecture

The Albuquerque International Sunport, located in Bernalillo County, is known for its distinct southwestern Pueblo Revival architecture and cultural décor. The airport's low-lying structure and Pueblo Revival architecture reference Albuquerque's Tiwa and Hispano heritage and New Mexico's Pueblo and Nuevo México roots. The terminal, designed by William E. Burk Jr., is built just east of the original terminal and features an adobe-façade. The three-level terminal is easy to navigate, with arrivals on Level 1, check-in on Level 2, and departures on Level 3.

The Albuquerque Sunport is New Mexico's largest commercial airport, serving around 5 million passengers annually and offering nonstop service to over 20 destinations worldwide. The airport is served by 8 major carriers, including Southwest Airlines, which has a hub at ABQ. The airport also has a large art collection with rotating exhibits, local New Mexican cuisine, and unique gift shops.

The airport shares its runways with Kirtland Air Force Base, which provides aircraft rescue and firefighting services. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) occupies office space at the historic Old Terminal Building, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. The National Weather Service and the U.S. Postal Service Express Mail Facility are also located at the airport.

The Albuquerque Sunport is committed to sustainable practices and has developed a Sustainable Airport Master Plan to guide the airport's overall maintenance, development, and operation. The airport also has a Tarmac Delay Contingency Plan in place to manage flight delays.

Frequently asked questions