Albuquerque International Sunport

For the USAF use of this facility, see Kirtland Air Force Base. For the former airport serving Albuquerque, see Oxnard Field.
Albuquerque International Sunport
Albuquerque
IATA: ABQ – ICAO: KABQ – FAA LID: ABQ
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner City of Albuquerque
Operator Albuquerque Aviation Department
Serves Albuquerque, New Mexico, US
Location 2200 Sunport Boulevard SE
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Hub for
Elevation AMSL 5,355 ft / 1,632 m
Coordinates 35°02′21.6″N 106°36′38.8″W / 35.039333°N 106.610778°W
Website abqsunport.com
Map
ABQ

Location of the Albuquerque International Sunport

Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
3/21 10,000 3,048 Concrete
8/26 13,793 4,204 Concrete
12/30 6,000 1,829 Concrete
Statistics (2012, 2014)
Aircraft operations (2014) 130,002
Based aircraft (2012) 172
Passengers (2014) 4,871,901
Sources: airport website[1] and FAA[2]

Albuquerque International Sunport (IATA: ABQ, ICAO: KABQ, FAA LID: ABQ) is a public airport 3 miles (5 km) southeast of downtown Albuquerque, in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, United States.[2] It is the largest commercial airport in the state, handling 4,871,901 passengers in 2014.[3] The airport serves Albuquerque and Santa Fe (also served by Santa Fe Municipal Airport).

History

Albuquerque was originally served by two private airports, Oxnard Field in 1929 and West Mesa Airport in the 1930s. Around 1935 it was suggested that the city build a new public airport using WPA money. Having secured US$520,500 in funding, Governor Clyde Tingley broke ground for the project on February 28, 1937. Albuquerque Municipal Airport opened in 1939 with two paved runways, a Pueblo Style terminal building designed by Ernest Blumenthal, and a massive hangar designed to accommodate the new Boeing 307 operated by Transcontinental and Western Air which became Trans World Airlines, or TWA, in 1946.[4]

The April 1957 OAG shows 31 weekday departures: 13 on Continental, 12 TWA and 6 Frontier.

The present terminal was designed by William E. Burk Jr.[5] and built in 1965 just east of the original terminal. Originally the terminal had eight gates, four at the main building and another four at a small satellite building to the south connected by an underground tunnel. None of the gates had jetbridges. The terminal has since been expanded several times, first in 1971 when a west wing was added with a large gate able to handle new wide-body aircraft. TWA made use of this gate by introducing the Lockheed L-1011 to Albuquerque in 1974 with flights to Chicago. After airline deregulation was passed in 1978, a flood of new airlines came to ABQ and the west wing was expanded in 1980 with three more gates, all of which had jetbridges and received extensive use by TWA and many new carriers. Southwest Airlines came to ABQ on April 3, 1980 using the old gates 1 and 2 and installed three ground level jetbridges at these two gates. From 1987 through 1989 the terminal underwent a massive expansion and renovation which was designed by Phillip Jacobson and BPLW Associates.[5] The satellite gate building was replaced with two concourses, A and B, giving the Sunport 19 new gates, all with jetbridges. Concourse A was further expanded in 1996 with four additional gates and the new above ground connector link to the concourses was greatly expanded in the early 2000s to accommodate the need for additional security screening by the TSA after the events of 9/11/2001. The old terminal of 1939 has been restored and houses offices of the Transportation Security Administration. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

Weekday departures at the Sunport peaked at 163 in December, 1995 and again in August, 2001, and ABQ has been served by the following commercial airlines: TWA, Continental, Frontier, Texas International, Alaska, American, Delta, jetBlue, Southwest, United, US Airways, Eastern, Western, Northwest, America West, Braniff, Pan Am, Wein Air Alaska, PSA, Reno Air, Western Pacific, AeroMexico, and a second Frontier Airlines. TWA was the grandfather carrier at ABQ since passenger flights commenced in 1929 as Albuquerque was a stop on the carrier's mainline route between Los Angeles and New York. TWA peaked with 21 daily departures in 1979 and their service continued until Dec 2, 2001 when the carrier merged with American Airlines. Continental Airlines was also a major player at Albuquerque serving the city since 1934 as a stop on their mainline north-south route between Denver and El Paso. In the 1940s Continental added new service to several cities in Southeastern New Mexico and the carrier peaked with 24 daily departures in the summer of 1977. Continental merged with United Airlines in 2012. Frontier Airlines first came to Albuquerque in 1946 as Monarch Airlines and provided service to Farmington and Gallup, New Mexico. Service was expanded in the 1960s with 727 and 737 jets to Denver and Tucson but the carrier closed down in 1986. Southwest took over the number one spot in ABQ by the early 1980s and peaked with 66 daily departures in October 2001. Although they have cut back significantly since then, so far Southwest has served 26 cities nonstop from ABQ. A number of commuter airlines have also served ABQ, the largest by far was Mesa Airlines which served the Sunport from 1981 through 2007. Mesa peaked with 46 daily departures in 1990 and served 18 cities nonstop from ABQ to points in New Mexico and Colorado. Mesa still serves ABQ but now as a feeder for American Eagle and US Airways Express using regional jets. Allegiant and Sun Country Airlines also serve ABQ with regular public charter flights to Laughlin, Reno, and Wendover, Nevada.

Military facilities and operations

The Sunport began a new role in 1940 when it was designated Albuquerque Army Air Base, the precursor to today's Kirtland Air Force Base. The airport continues to share its runways with Kirtland AFB, which also handles rescue and firefighting operations. An Air Force Material Command (AFMC) installation, the host unit is the 377th Air Base Wing (377 ABW). Flying units at Kirtland AFB consist of the 58th Special Operations Wing (58 SOW) of the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and the 150th Fighter Wing (150 FW), an Air Combat Command (ACC)-gained unit of the New Mexico Air National Guard.

Future developments

The Airport Master Plan drafted in 2002 lays out intermediate- and long-term projects at the Sunport, including the removal of Runway 17/35 and the construction of a second terminal when traffic demands it. The runway closure recommendation was based on safety, noise abatement, and the cost of upkeep. Because 17/35 intersected all three of the other runways, it ran the highest risk of runway incursions. The runway was closed in Summer 2012, and the tarmac is currently used for taxiing aircraft, as well as a firefighting training aircraft located on the north end.[6] The configuration of the other three runways, in conjunction with typical wind patterns, were able to handle departures and landings more efficiently.

In the longer term, the plan calls for a new terminal to be built to the northeast of the existing terminal. A people mover system will connect the terminal with parking facilities and the existing terminal.[7]

Facilities and aircraft

Albuquerque International Sunport Airport covers 2,039 acres (825 ha) and has three runways. In 2014 the airport had 130,002 aircraft operations, an average of 356 per day: 40% scheduled commercial, 21% air taxi, 24% general aviation and 15% military. In 2006, there were 322 aircraft based at this airport: 33% multi-engine, 30% single-engine, 18% military, 13% jet and 7% helicopter.[2] ABQ's terminal, which was expanded in the late 1980s, and again to its present size in 1996, encompasses 574,000 sq ft (53,300 m²) of space. The airport has a Pueblo Revival style passenger terminal which houses two concourses and an area for commuter airline gates.

The largest passenger aircraft scheduled into Albuquerque is the Boeing 757, operated by Delta Air Lines on flights from Atlanta during spring, summer, and fall. The largest aircraft the Sunport usually sees is a FedEx McDonnell Douglas DC-10 to Memphis. In 1974 and again from 1982 through 1992 the airport had scheduled Trans World Airlines Lockheed L-1011s.

Terminal

Banner inside the airport terminal listing Albuquerque's sister cities

Albuquerque International Sunport has one terminal with 25 gates in four concourses, including a concourse for commuter airline gates. Concourse A has 13 gates: A1 – A12, A14. Concourse B has 9 gates: B1, B3-B10 (Gate B2 was removed during the security hall and low B gate bathroom expansion). Concourse E has 2 gates: E1 & E2.[8] Concourse C, originally known as the west wing, consisted of four gates (11, 12, 14, & 15). Gate 11 was closed when the terminal was expanded in 1989 and the remaining three gates were renumbered to C1, C2, & C3. TWA continued to use these gates for a few more years until gates C2 and C3 showed signs of structural failure and later had to be demolished. TWA moved to concourse B and the lobby area of gate C1 (the gate built in 1971) has mostly been converted to office space. The lower level of gate C1 houses U. S. Customs and is still used for occasional international arriving flights. The Sunport last saw regular international service in 2009 by AeroMexico Connect with flights to Chihuahua, Mexico. Concourse D was a ground-level commuter aircraft concourse that was used by Ross Aviation, Great Plains Airlines and Rio Grande Air. It was closed in 2004 after Great Plains Airlines liquidated due to insolvency.[9]

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

Airlines Destinations Concourse
Alaska Airlines Seattle/Tacoma B
American Airlines Dallas/Fort Worth B
American Eagle Chicago-O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles B
Boutique Air Silver City, Carlsbad (begins June 1, 2015)[10] E
Delta Air Lines Atlanta
Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City 		B
Delta Connection Salt Lake City B
JetBlue Airways New York-JFK B
New Mexico Airlines[11] Carlsbad (ends May 31, 2015)[10] E
Southwest Airlines Baltimore, Chicago-Midway, Dallas-Love, Denver, Houston-Hobby, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Phoenix, San Diego,
Seasonal: Orlando, Portland (OR), Seattle/Tacoma (resumes June 13, 2015) 		A
United Airlines Seasonal: Denver (begins June 4, 2015), Houston-Intercontinental (begins August 18, 2015) A
United Express Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, Houston-Intercontinental, Los Angeles, San Francisco A
US Airways
operated by American Airlines 		Seasonal: Charlotte (begins June 4, 2015), Phoenix (ends May 6, 2015) B
US Airways Express Phoenix B

Cargo

Airlines Destinations
FedEx Express Lubbock, Memphis, Oklahoma City
FedEx Feeder
operated by Empire Airlines 		Durango, Farmington, Gallup
UPS Airlines Dallas/Ft. Worth, El Paso, Louisville, Ontario, Phoenix

Statistics

Airline market share

Carrier shares: Dec 2013 – Nov 2014[12]
Carrier Passengers (arriving and departing)
Southwest
2,696,000(56.75%)
American
588,000(12.39%)
SkyWest
477,000(10.05%)
Delta
372,000(7.82%)
Express Jet
123,000(2.59%)
Other
495,000(10.41%)

Top domestic destinations

Top domestic destinations: (Dec 2013 – Nov 2014)[12]
Rank City Airport Passengers
1 Phoenix, AZ Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) 328,000
2 Dallas/Fort Worth, TX Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) 293,000
3 Dallas, TX Dallas Love Field (DAL) 193,000
4 Denver, CO Denver International (DEN) 188,000
5 Las Vegas, NV McCarran International (LAS) 158,000
6 Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles International (LAX) 155,000
7 Atlanta, GA Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) 140,000
8 Houston, TX William P. Hobby (HOU) 99,000
9 Chicago, IL Chicago-Midway 81,000
10 Houston, TX George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) 77,000

Annual traffic

Annual passenger traffic (enplaned + deplaned) at Albuquerque Airport, 1990 thru 2014[13]
Year Passengers Year Passengers Year Passengers Year Passengers
2010 5,796,373 2000 6,292,458 1990 4,987,713
2009 5,888,811 1999 6,152,493
2008 6,489,323 1998 6,149,197
2007 6,668,706 1997 6,290,018
2006 6,487,276 1996 6,618,751
2005 6,466,435 1995 6,130,451
2014 4,871,901 2004 6,320,142 1994 6,158,300
2013 5,065,179 2003 6,064,418 1993 5,603,248
2012 5,382,223 2002 6,117,645 1992 5,264,577
2011 5,697,625 2001 6,181,606 1991 4,938,431

Aircraft operations

The data below lists annual total aircraft operations from 2004–2014 from the FAA's Air Traffic Activity System. The percent changes indicate an average of −3.50% in aircraft operations per year over the last 10 years.[14]

Aircraft Operations: ABQ 2004–2014[14]
Calendar year Aircraft operations %
2004 197,657
2005 196,699 −0.48%
2006 192,241 −2.27%
2007 190,780 −0.76%
2008 180,553 −5.36%
2009 158,529 −12.20%
2010 156,616 −1.21%
2011 154,140 −1.58%
2012 147,724 −4.16%
2013 136,915 −7.32%
2014 130,069 −5.00%

The airport's freight center moved 60,000 tons of cargo in 2013, a 7% decline from 64,000 tons during the 2012 calendar year.[15][16]

General aviation support

Support for private, corporate, and general aviation aircraft pilots and passengers are handled by two fixed-base operators at Albuquerque International Sunport: Atlantic Aviation and Cutter Aviation and Albuquerque Aero services which handles Avionics and Electrical. All three are located on the Southeast section of the airport off Clark Carr Loop.

Ground transportation

Bus

ABQ RIDE offers bus service (Routes 50, 222, and 250) at the south side of the baggage claim area.

Commuter train

ABQ RIDE Route 222 provides connecting service to the New Mexico Rail Runner Express Bernallilo County/International Sunport Station, while ABQ RIDE Route 250 provides nonstop service to the Alvarado Transportation Center in Downtown Albuquerque. The Rail Runner provides service both north and south of the airport, including Downtown Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

Scheduled shuttle bus service

Regularly scheduled bus and shuttle service is provided by various carriers to locations from ABQ to the city as well as Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Taxi

Taxis can be hailed through the Ground Transportation employees outside the baggage claim areas.

Incidents and accidents

Amenities

References

  1. ↑ Albuquerque International Sunport, official site
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 FAA Airport Master Record for ABQ (Form 5010 PDF), effective June 5, 2008
  3. ↑ http://www.abqsunport.com/about-us/facts-and-figures/
  4. ↑ Biebel, Charles D. (1986). Making the Most of It: Public Works in Albuquerque during the Great Depression 1929–1942. Albuquerque: The Albuquerque Museum, pp. 66–67.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Price, Vincent Barrett (1992). A City at the End of the World. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press. p. 36. ISBN 0-82631-371-X.
  6. ↑ "A Boeing 727-200F aircraft from FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) made its final journey today onto the Albuquerque International Sunport.". City of Albuquerque. City of Albuquerque. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  7. ↑ "Executive Summary" (PDF). Albuquerque International Sunport Airport Master Plan. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  8. ↑ "Terminal Level 2 Ticketing Level" (PDF). www.abqsunport.com. City of Albuquerque. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  9. ↑ "Albuquerque Sunport turned 70!". Youtube.com. Tom Miles. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Onsurez, Jessica; England, Katie. "Airport: Carlsbad now connected to Dallas/Fort Worth". Current-Argus News. Current-Argus News. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  11. ↑ "Commercial Airlines". City of Albuquerque. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 "Albuquerque, NM: Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)". Bureau of Transportation Statistics. April 2013. Retrieved Feb 2015.
  13. ↑ Facts and Figures. Retrieved on Apr 2, 2015.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 "Air Traffic Activity System". Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Sunport Facts & Figures". City of Albuquerque. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Sunport Facts & Figures". City of Albuquerque. Archived from the original on September 22, 2013. Retrieved October 29, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Aviation Safety Network: Aircraft accident description Martin 4-0-4 N40416 – Sandia Mountain, NM". Aviation-safety.net. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  18. ↑ Palmer, Mo (August 10, 2006). "Remembering past tragedies." The Albuquerque Tribune.
  19. ↑ "Aviation Safety Network: Aircraft accident description McDonnell Douglas DC-10-10 N60NA – Socorro, NM". Aviation-safety.net. November 3, 1973. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  20. ↑ (September 15, 1977). "20 die in Air Force plane crash." Associated Press.
  21. ↑ Business First, Albuquerque. "Sunport's free WiFi service grabbing national attention".

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Albuquerque International Sunport.