City of Las Cruces discusses project funding, airport overhaul one of its main priorities

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- City leaders outlined their priorities for state funding Monday. The Las Cruces International Airport is a project they hope to get the most funding.

The city is hoping to secure $15.2 million dollars through state funding to help prepare the airport for interstate travel. The funds will be used to retrofit the existing terminal to better suit daily passenger services, and to upgrade parking and maintenance facilities. The plan was outlined by the city to the New Mexico Municipal League, who will lobby for these funds at the state level.

The airport, which hasn't seen regular passenger service since 2005, is looking to add both intrastate (flights within New Mexico) and interstate (flights between other states) to its operations. The plan was originally introduced during a city work session agenda over two years ago on September 28, 2020.

According to the September 28, 2020 presentation, Las Cruces has enough passenger demand to have "2-4 daily flights on 50-76 seat jet aircraft," representing 13.6% of El Paso International Airport's traffic. The presentation suggested that non-stop American Airlines flights to Phoenix and Dallas are the "best fit" for interstate travel from Las Cruces International Airport.

The State of New Mexico is projecting a $2.5 billion dollar increase in revenue for fiscal year 2023, and state legislators are currently figuring out how to appropriate these new funds.