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The Albuquerque International Sunport, known for its distinct low-lying structure and Pueblo Revival architecture, is New Mexico's largest commercial airport, serving over 5 million passengers annually. The airport is served by 8 major carriers, including Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, and offers non-stop service to over 20 destinations worldwide. With a rich history spanning eight decades, the airport has witnessed several airlines come and go, including Transcontinental Air Transport, Western Air Express, and Mid Continent Air Express. Today, passengers can enjoy the convenience of a wide range of airlines and destinations when travelling through the Albuquerque International Sunport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States |
| IATA | ABQ |
| ICAO | KABQ |
| FAA LID | ABQ |
| Number of terminals | 4 (Concourse A, B, C, and the Main Terminal) |
| Number of gates | 22 (8 in Concourse A, 10 in Concourse B, 4 in Concourse C) |
| Number of daily flights | 150 |
| Number of passengers handled daily | 15,000-17,000 |
| Number of passengers handled annually | 5-5.4 million |
| Number of airlines served | 8 major carriers, including Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines |
| Top destinations | Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, Houston, and Las Vegas |
| Primary function | The primary international airport serving the U.S. state of New Mexico |
| Year of establishment | 1928 (as Albuquerque Municipal Airport) |
| Architecture | Low-lying structure and Pueblo Revival architecture |
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What You'll Learn
Albuquerque International Sunport
The Albuquerque International Sunport is New Mexico's largest commercial airport, welcoming over 5 million passengers annually and handling over 400 flights daily. The airport is known for its distinct low-lying structure, Pueblo Revival and Southwestern architecture, and cultural décor, reflecting Albuquerque's Tiwa and Hispano heritage and New Mexico's Pueblo and Nuevo México roots.
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- Alaska Airlines
- JetBlue
- Spirit
- Sun Country
Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier serving the airport, accounting for over half of all passengers. The airport offers non-stop service to more than 20 destinations, including Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, Houston, and Las Vegas, with worldwide connectivity.
The airport has a rich history dating back to 1928 when it was established as Albuquerque Municipal Airport with a dirt runway. It has undergone various expansions and renovations over the years, including the addition of new concourses and gates, and the introduction of jet services in 1961. The present terminal was designed by William E. Burk Jr. and opened in 1965.
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Airlines and destinations
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 New Mexico's largest commercial airport, welcoming over 5 million passengers annually and handling over 400 flights daily. The airport features four terminals: Concourse A, Concourse B, Concourse C, and the Main Terminal.
The airport is served by 8 major carriers and several other major airlines, including Advanced Air, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit, Sun Country, and United Airlines. Southwest Airlines operates the most flights from the airport, accounting for over half of all passengers. The most popular destinations served from ABQ are Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, Houston, and Las Vegas.
The history of the airport dates back to 1928 when it was established as Albuquerque Municipal Airport with a dirt runway. It was renamed several times over the years, including Albuquerque Airport in 1939, Albuquerque Army Air Base in 1945, and finally, Albuquerque Sunport in 1963. The airport has seen several expansions and renovations, including the addition of new concourses and gates, and the introduction of jet services in 1961.
Sunport is unique for its low-lying structure and Pueblo Revival architecture, which reflects the cultural heritage of the region. The airport also boasts a world-class art collection, New Mexican cuisine, and local artisanal gifts, offering passengers a taste of the local culture and traditions.
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Top destinations
The Albuquerque International Sunport Airport, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the primary international airport serving the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is New Mexico's largest commercial airport, welcoming over 5 million passengers annually and handling over 400 flights daily. The airport features four terminals: Concourse A, Concourse B, Concourse C, and the Main Terminal.
The airport is served by 8 major carriers and offers non-stop service to over 30 destinations worldwide. The most popular destinations served from ABQ include Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, Houston, and Las Vegas.
Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier serving the airport, operating the most flights and accounting for over half of all passengers. Other major airlines operating from the airport include American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines. American and Delta operate from Concourse A, while Southwest and United use the Main Terminal.
In addition to these, several other major airlines serve the Sunport Airport, including Advanced Air, Alaska, JetBlue, Spirit, Sun Country, and more. The airport also has a history of being served by various other airlines, including some that have merged or been acquired over the years, such as Texas International Airlines, Monarch Airlines (which became Frontier Airlines), and Pioneer Air Lines (which merged into Continental Airlines).
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History of the airport
Albuquerque International Sunport, locally known as the Sunport, is the primary international airport serving the U.S. state of New Mexico, specifically the Albuquerque metropolitan area and the larger Albuquerque–Santa Fe–Los Alamos combined statistical area. It is located in Bernalillo County, between the Rio Grande and the Sandia Mountains, 3 miles (5 km) southeast of downtown Albuquerque.
Albuquerque was initially served by two private airports: The Albuquerque Airport, later known as Oxnard Field, which opened in 1928, and the West Mesa Airport, later known as the TWA airport, which opened in 1929. The first airlines to serve these airports were Transcontinental Air Transport (TAT), Western Air Express (WAE), and Mid Continent Air Express, all of which began in 1929. Within the first year, these airlines moved their operations from Albuquerque Airport to West Mesa Airport, where they remained for most of the 1930s. TAT and WAE merged in 1930 to form Transcontinental and Western Air (TWA). In 1939, the Albuquerque Municipal Airport opened with two paved runways and a Pueblo Style terminal building designed by Ernest Blumenthal. Within two years of its opening, the Albuquerque Army Air Base was constructed to its east, which later became Kirtland Air Force Base, sharing runways and facilities with the commercial airport.
Monarch Airlines arrived in Albuquerque in 1947 and merged with other carriers to become Frontier Airlines in 1950. Pioneer Air Lines began service in 1948 and merged into Continental Airlines in 1955. TWA, the largest carrier serving Albuquerque, introduced the first jet service in 1961 using the Boeing 707. The airport was renamed Albuquerque Sunport on April 17, 1963. Later that year, Trans Texas Airways (which later became Texas International Airlines) began service, completing the first four carriers to serve the airport before the airline deregulation act of 1978.
In 1974, TWA introduced the Lockheed L-1011 to Albuquerque, offering flights to Chicago. Following the airline deregulation act of 1978, a wave of new airlines came to ABQ. The west wing was expanded in 1980 with three additional gates, all with jetbridges, used by TWA and several new carriers. Southwest Airlines, which began on April 3, 1980, quickly rose to become the largest carrier serving the airport. From 1987 to 1989, the terminal underwent significant expansion and renovation, including the addition of a second level for separate arrival and departure levels, and the replacement of the satellite gate building with two concourses, resulting in 19 new gates, all with jetbridges. In 1994, the airport was renamed Albuquerque International Sunport, and in 1996, four additional gates were added to Concourse A.
Today, the Albuquerque International Sunport is New Mexico's largest commercial airport, serving over 5 million passengers annually and offering non-stop service to over 30 destinations worldwide. It is known for its low-lying structure and Pueblo Revival architecture, reflecting Albuquerque's cultural heritage.
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Tips for passengers
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 New Mexico's largest commercial airport, welcoming over 5 million passengers annually and handling 400 flights daily. The airport features four terminals: Concourse A, Concourse B, Concourse C, and the Main Terminal.
Know the Airlines and Their Terminals
The airport is served by several major airlines, including Advanced Air, Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, Spirit, Sun Country, and United Airlines. Southwest Airlines is the largest carrier at the airport, accounting for over half of all passengers. American and Delta operate from Concourse A, while Southwest and United use the Main Terminal.
Stay Updated on Flight Status
Passengers can sign up for text, email, and push notifications from their airline to receive updates about their flight status. These notifications can be customized to provide only the most important information. Additionally, passengers can check real-time flight departure status, delays, and gate information on websites like ifly.com.
Arrive Early for Parking
Sunport parking fills up quickly, so it is recommended to arrive early and park in a third-party, off-site lot if necessary. From there, passengers can take a shuttle to the main terminal.
Explore the Airport's Amenities
The Sunport boasts a world-class art collection, unique amenities, New Mexican cuisine, and local artisanal gifts. It is known for its distinct Southwestern architecture and cultural décor, reflecting Albuquerque's heritage and roots.
Participate in Events
The Sunport hosts various events, such as the annual "Honor Flight" Welcome Home Ceremony for veterans and the Sunport Serenades live performance series featuring native musicians, artists, and dancers. These events provide a great opportunity to experience the local culture and support the community.
Take Advantage of Frequent Flyer Programs
Many airlines offer frequent flyer programs that allow passengers to accumulate points and enjoy perks. Texas International Airlines, which previously served the Sunport, established the first mileage-based frequent flyer program in 1979, which was then adopted by other airlines.
By following these tips, passengers travelling through Albuquerque International Sunport can navigate the airport more efficiently, enjoy the local culture, and make the most of their travel experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Sunport Airport, also known as Albuquerque International Sunport, is served by several major airlines, including Advanced Air, Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, Sun Country, and United.
The most popular destinations served from Sunport Airport are Denver, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix, Houston, and Las Vegas.
The airport was established as Albuquerque Municipal Airport in 1928 with a dirt runway. It was renamed Albuquerque Airport in 1939 and received a paved runway. During World War II, it was used by the military and renamed Albuquerque Army Air Base. In 1948, it was returned to the city and renamed Albuquerque Municipal Airport again. The airport was officially renamed Albuquerque Sunport on April 17, 1963.
It is recommended to arrive at the airport early, especially if you need to find parking, drop off your bags, or grab a bite to eat. Most airlines suggest arriving two hours early for domestic flights and three hours early for international flights. You can also sign up for notifications from your airline to receive updates about your flight status.
