Albuquerque Airport: Gateway To The City Of Albuquerque

The Albuquerque International Sunport Airport, locally known as the Sunport, is the primary airport serving the US state of New Mexico, particularly the Albuquerque metropolitan area. The airport is located just 4 miles southeast of the city of Albuquerque and is known for its distinct southwestern architecture and cultural décor.

Albuquerque International Sunport's location

The Albuquerque International Sunport Airport, locally known as the Sunport, is located in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. The airport is situated 4 miles (6.5 km) southeast of downtown Albuquerque, in Bernalillo County. It is easily accessible, with a convenient location within the city limits. The Sunport is just a short drive from various notable places in Albuquerque, including the University of New Mexico, the Albuquerque Convention Center, and the Historic Old Town.

Albuquerque International Sunport is the largest commercial airport in New Mexico, serving as the primary international airport for the state. It is owned and operated by the City of Albuquerque and is committed to providing a safe, clean, and passenger-friendly facility for travellers. The airport handles a significant volume of passengers, with an annual count of around 5 million travellers passing through its gates.

The Sunport is known for its distinct southwestern architecture and cultural décor, boasting a delightful adobe-façade building. It features a world-class art collection, unique amenities, and an array of New Mexican cuisine and local artisanal gifts. The airport's terminals are well-organised, with arrivals on Level 1, check-in on Level 2, and departures on Level 3.

In addition to its cultural offerings, the Sunport also plays a vital economic role in the region. An economic impact study in 2019 revealed that the airport contributes approximately $2.225 billion to the state's economy and supports around 19,000 jobs directly or indirectly. The City of Albuquerque has also embarked on a project called Destination Sunport, aiming to promote the area as an emerging business hub.

The airport's history

The 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. It is New Mexico's largest commercial airport, welcoming over 5 million passengers each year. The airport is located in Bernalillo County, between the Rio Grande and the Sandia Mountains, 3 miles (5 km) southeast of downtown Albuquerque.

The History of Albuquerque International Sunport

The city of Albuquerque was initially served by two private airports in the late 1920s: the Albuquerque Airport (later Oxnard Field) and the West Mesa Airport (later the TWA airport). 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 operating in 1929. Within the first year, these airlines moved their operations to the West Mesa Airport, where they remained for most of the 1930s.

In 1935, it was decided that a new, larger airport was needed to serve the city better. In 1937, the Albuquerque Municipal Airport opened with two paved runways and a terminal showcasing traditional New Mexico architecture. The airport became the Kirtland Army Base in the 1940s, and by the 1960s, the increasing number of passenger flights made it evident that a larger terminal was necessary.

The airport was renamed Albuquerque Sunport in 1963, and in 1965, a new passenger terminal was unveiled, which is still in use today. The Sunport was upgraded to an international airport in the 1980s, and the original terminal from 1939 was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. The Albuquerque International Sunport has continued to expand and improve its facilities over the years, including terminal expansions in 1989 and 1996, to accommodate the growing aviation demand and provide a safe and passenger-friendly experience.

Airlines and destinations

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, and is New Mexico's largest commercial airport. The airport handles around 5 million passengers annually and over 400 flights daily.

The airport is served by several major airlines, including Advanced Air, Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, Sun Country, and United. Southwest Airlines is the focus airline of the airport, accounting for over half of all passengers. The airport offers non-stop service between ABQ and more than 30 destinations across the United States, with the route to Phoenix (PHX) being the most frequent, with an average of 60 flights weekly. The longest flight from ABQ is to New York (JFK), taking approximately 4 hours and 9 minutes.

The airport has a distinct southwestern architectural style and cultural décor, boasting a world-class art collection, unique amenities, New Mexican cuisine, and local artisanal gifts. The Sunport is also known for its Roadrunner Ambassador greeters, who guide travellers through the airport.

The history of the airport dates back to 1928 when the original Albuquerque Airport, later known as Oxnard Field, first opened. In 1929, the West Mesa Airport, later the TWA Airport, was established, and by the 1930s, it had become the primary airport for the city. The current Sunport has been expanded and renovated over the years, with ongoing projects outlined in the 2002 Airport Master Plan, including the potential construction of a second terminal.

Art, architecture, and culture

The Albuquerque International Sunport is located in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the US. The airport is locally known as the Sunport and is the primary international airport serving the state of New Mexico, with over 5 million passengers travelling through each year. The airport itself is known for its distinct southwestern architecture and cultural décor, and it boasts a large art collection with rotating special exhibits.

Albuquerque is known for its thriving art scene, with hundreds of galleries, studios, museums, and cultural centres. The city is particularly renowned for its abundance of Native American, Hispanic, and Southwestern artwork, including silver and turquoise jewellery, traditional pottery, Spanish colonial embroidery, and tinwork. The city also features exciting and provocative contemporary works in a variety of forms and expressions.

Albuquerque's performing arts community is equally vibrant and diverse, with regular performances at various venues such as the National Hispanic Cultural Center, the National Institute of Flamenco, the New Mexico Philharmonic, the Outpost Performance Space, and the Keshet Dance and Center for the Arts. The city also boasts intimate theatre spaces, such as the Albuquerque Little Theatre and the historic KiMo Theatre, which is known for its beautiful Pueblo Deco-style façade.

Albuquerque's museums and cultural centres offer a fascinating glimpse into the history and unique blend of cultures that shape the region. Notable museums include the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, which provides information and resources on Native American culture, history, and art, and the National Hispanic Cultural Center, where visitors can learn about Spanish colonial heritage and traditions, such as Día de los Muertos and flamenco. The Albuquerque Museum of Art and History also showcases the city's origins and includes artworks from various traditions, including indigenous, Spanish colonial, and modern installations.

In addition to its art and performance offerings, Albuquerque is recognised as one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country. The city's Public Library, with its 19 branches, hosts a variety of special events for all ages, and the city's children's museum, Explora, has a unique public partnership with the City of Albuquerque. Albuquerque also has a rich history of ballooning and innovative forms of flight, which can be explored at the Albuquerque Museum in the heart of historic Old Town.

Economic impact

The Albuquerque International Sunport, locally known as the Sunport, is the primary international airport serving the US 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 owned and operated by the City of Albuquerque.

The Sunport is a significant contributor to the economy of New Mexico, with an economic impact study conducted in 2019 by the University of New Mexico concluding that the airport is responsible for $2.225 billion in economic output for the state. The study also found that 19,000 jobs are directly or indirectly related to the facility, a number that was supported by a 2017 report from the UNM Bureau of Business and Economic Research, which stated that the Sunport and Double Eagle II Airport together were responsible for 20,000 jobs. The 2017 report also stated that the Albuquerque Airport System accounted for 2.4% of the gross state product in New Mexico.

The Sunport is the largest commercial airport in New Mexico, serving over 5 million passengers each year and offering non-stop service to more than 30 worldwide destinations. It is served by 8 major carriers, including Southwest Airlines, which accounts for over half of all passengers, as well as Advanced Air, Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, Sun Country, and United. In addition to passenger flights, the Sunport also handles cargo airlines, including FedEx Express, UPS Airlines, Empire Airlines, and AmeriFlight.

The airport's high volume of passenger and cargo traffic has made it a vital component of the New Mexico economy, promoting development and tourism, connecting different regions, and providing market access for trade and investments. The Sunport's impact on tourism is particularly notable, with out-of-state visitors in FY12 accounting for 57% of passengers and an estimated total spending of $171 million. The airport's role as an economic driver has been recognised by local officials, with Albuquerque Mayor Richard J. Berry stating that " [i]n addition to our airports being a great front porch for visitors, they are also vitally important to our economy".

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