NM Delegation Announces Over $25.2 million in Grants to 50 Local Airports from Emergency Coronavirus Response Package

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.) announced that 50 local airports across New Mexico will receive over $25.2 million in federal grants to sustain critical operations and connect the state and rural communities to the resources they need. The funds are part of the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that the entire New Mexico delegation voted to pass Congress last month. The Albuquerque International Sunport will receive nearly $16.7 million, Santa Fe Municipal Airport will receive over $1.858 million, Lea County Regional Airport will receive over $1 million, and the Roswell Air Center will receive over $1.2 million. Over 45 additional airports around the state will receive amounts ranging from $20,000 to $69,000 each.

The $25,229,608 in grants will help airports maintain critical operations that local communities in New Mexico depend on as economic links to supply chains and transportation. The funds will support local airports as the sharp decrease in travel to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus has slashed critical revenue for airports. The federal assistance is directed to help publically-owned, commercial airports to address the COVID-19 crisis as the aviation sector grapples with the most steep and potentially sustained decline in air travel in history. These funds will help airport operators meet ongoing needs and to manage current construction projects as operating expenses increase and revenues plummet.

“While all New Mexicans should stay home as much as possible to slow the spread of coronavirus and protect our neighbors and health care professionals, local airports need to stay open to sustain communities across the state,” said Udall, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This funding will help support rural economies, ensure that rural communities can continue to access the resources and goods they need, and help get frontline workers to where they are needed as quickly and safely as possible. This funding lays a foundation to make sure that our airports will continue to grow local economies across New Mexico when this national crisis has passed, and I will keep fighting to make sure New Mexicans can stay healthy and financially afloat throughout this critical period and beyond.”  

“The unprecedented decline in air travel is having a devastating impact on local airports,” said Heinrich. “I'm proud to support this critical funding from the CARES Act that will help ensure local airports in New Mexico can continue to provide essential service that connects frontline workers to all of our communities. I will keep doing everything I can to secure the resources New Mexico communities need both to protect our health and safety during this public health crisis and to fuel a strong long-term economic recovery.”

“Local airports have taken a big financial hit as Americans stay home to stop the spread of COVID-19. This critical funding made available by the CARES Act will assist local airports across New Mexico and help them support frontline workers and keep essential operations running through this crisis. Airports are vital economic engines, especially in rural communities, and this funding will help them play an important role in the economic recovery after this crisis passes. I am strongly committed to supporting New Mexico’s economic and public health needs in any way I can,” said Luján.

“Our communities need airports to support local economies, but with air travel down due to coronavirus, airports are faced with the tough decision to lay off workers or limit services,” said Haaland. “This funding will make sure the Albuquerque Sunport and airport operations in rural communities can provide transportation to health care workers, enable resources to be flown into rural hospitals, and ensure those airports are up and running when it’s safe for us to move past this pandemic.”

“Families across New Mexico are doing their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by staying at home and limiting air travel. Our local airports, however, need to keep their doors open to support our frontline workers and connect communities with necessary goods and resources. This grant provides critical funding to help local airports continue operations and keep employees on payroll in both urban and rural communities like those across southern New Mexico,” said Torres Small.

The full breakdown of the $25,229,608 in funds is below:

Alamogordo-White Sands Regional, Alamogordo, $30,000

Albuquerque International Sunport, Albuquerque, $19,695,498

Double Eagle II, Albuquerque, $69,000

Angel Fire, Angel Fire, $20,000

Artesia Municipal, Artesia, $30,000

Aztec Municipal, Aztec, $20,000

Belen Regional, Belen, $30,000

Cavern City Air Terminal, Carlsbad, $69,000

Carrizozo Municipal, Carrizozo, $20,000

Clayton Municipal Airpark, Clayton, $20,000

Clovis Municipal, Clovis, $69,000

Conchas Lake, Conchas Dam, $20,000

Crownpoint, Crownpoint, $20,000

Deming Municipal, Deming, $30,000

Jicarilla Apache Nation, Dulce, $20,000

Ohkay Owingeh, Espanola, $20,000

Four Corners Regional, Farmington, $69,000

Fort Sumner Municipal, Fort Sumner, $20,000

Gallup Municipal, Gallup, $20,000

Glenwood, Glenwood, $1,000

Grants-Milan Municipal, Grants, $20,000

Hatch Municipal, Hatch, $20,000

Lea County Regional, Hobbs, $1,096,589

Lea County/Jal/, Jal, $20,000

Las Cruces International, Las Cruces, $69,000

Las Vegas Municipal, Las Vegas, $20,000

Lordsburg Municipal, Lordsburg, $20,000

Los Alamos, Los Alamos, $30,000

Lea County-Zip Franklin Memorial, Lovington, $20,000

Magdalena, Magdalena, $1,000

Moriarty Municipal, Moriarty, $30,000

Navajo Lake, Navajo Dam, $1,000

Portales Municipal, Portales, $30,000

Questa Municipal, Questa, $1,000

Raton Municipal/Crews Field, Raton, $30,000

Reserve, Reserve, $20,000

Roswell Air Center, Roswell, $1,233,016

Sierra Blanca Regional, Ruidoso, $69,000

Santa Fe Municipal, Santa Fe, $1,858,505

Santa Rosa Route 66, Santa Rosa, $20,000

Dona Ana County International Jetport, Santa Teresa, $69,000

Shiprock Airstrip, Shiprock, $20,000

Grant County, Silver City, $69,000

Socorro Municipal, Socorro, $30,000

Springer Municipal, Springer, $20,000

Taos Regional, Taos, $30,000

Truth Or Consequences Municipal, Truth or Consequences, $30,000

Tucumcari Municipal, Tucumcari, $20,000

Vaughn Municipal, Vaughn, $20,000

Andrew Othole Memorial, Zuni, $20,000