WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded more than $1 million in federal grants to Ohkay Owingeh Airport, Gallup Municipal Airport, Deming Municipal Airport, Hatch Municipal Airport, Cavern City Air Terminal Airport in Carlsbad and Portales Municipal Airport for runway infrastructure improvements. The FAA has also awarded $750,000 to the Roswell Air Center as a revenue guarantee and marketing program to facilitate a future United Airlines direct service to Denver, Colorado.
“New Mexico’s regional airports are critical transportation lifelines for our state’s rural economies and communities,” Udall said. “As travel to and from New Mexico continues to increase, residents and visitors will increasingly rely on our regional airports—and this infrastructure and marketing funding will help them support New Mexico’s economic success. This funding will also help improve and revitalize these airports to ensure that their infrastructure remains structurally sound into the future. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fight for the resources needed to maintain our transportation hubs and boost our economy.”
“New Mexico’s airports create opportunities for tourism, economic growth, and commercial aviation across the state,” said Heinrich. “I'm pleased to announce federal funding to modernize New Mexico airports and make them safer for travelers and pilots. I will continue to fight for infrastructure investments like these that build the foundation for long-term economic growth and job creation in our state.”
“These grants are critical investments to bolster and improve the infrastructure of New Mexico’s regional airports. Local communities – especially in our rural regions – depend on our regional airports to boost the economy and support travel. I’m proud to support New Mexico’s rural communities and I’ll continue fighting for much-needed investments to modernize our infrastructure and support working New Mexicans,” said Luján.
“Regional airports can be the lifeblood of rural communities, but sometimes they fall into disrepair. This investment in rural New Mexico will update infrastructure and open up economic opportunities for our communities,” said Haaland.
“New Mexico’s Second Congressional District is one of the largest geographic districts in the country, and we know firsthand the importance of our state’s regional airports in connecting communities and supporting economic growth. This Federal Aviation Administration grant of over $1 million will make necessary infrastructure improvements to support the continued increase of residents, visitors, and new business opportunities in New Mexico. I’m pleased this award will fund projects in rural communities like Deming, Hatch, and Carlsbad,” said Torres Small.
Ohkay Owingeh Airport, near Española, New Mexico, will use the funds to rehabilitate the structural integrity of the runway and taxiways pavement. Portales Municipal Airport will use the funds to perform pavement sealing and crack repair of the existing taxiway. The FAA grant will also fund runway reconstruction at Cavern City Air Terminal airport in Carlsbad and Hatch Municipal Airport.
Deming Municipal Airport and Gallup Municipal Airport will use the funds to rehabilitate existing terminal and runway pavement.
Roswell Air Center received funds received funds under the Small Community Air Service Development Program.
The full breakdown of grants is below:
Ohkay Owingeh Airport $270,000
Portales Municipal Airport $150,000
Cavern City Air Terminal Airport $75,000
Hatch Municipal Airport $280,000
Deming Municipal Airport $157,500
Gallup Municipal Airport $153,000
Roswell Air Center $750,000
