A series of infrastructure improvements, including the possible construction of a new passenger terminal, may be in store for the Las Cruces International Airport, as reflected in the facility’s most recent master plan.
Approved by members of the Las Cruces City Council, the master plan is recommending that the airport’s Runway 12-30, which has a current length of just over 7,500 feet, should be extended by exactly 3,604 feet.
Runways 8-26, 4-22, and 12-30 intersect on the airfield, forming a triangle. Notes the Las Cruces International Master Plan Executive Summary: “This is considered a safety issue, and the Federal Aviation Administration recommends decoupling these runways.”
Runway 8-26, meanwhile, is “not long enough to meet the critical aircraft requirements and should be extended.” Moving the runway to the north of its current location and extending it by 3,614 feet “will mitigate this issue.”
Other recommendations: changing the configuration of Taxiway A, which, at 35 feet in width, “does not meet the width standards for the design aircraft.” The master plan suggests moving Taxiway A to the site of Runway 8-26 after it’s moved and widening it to 50 feet.
The master plan also addresses an issue that has long preoccupied both airport and city officials: the lack of a “terminal building that is adequate in size to accommodate passenger processing for intra- and inter-state air service.”
A preliminary design for the construction of a new terminal building capable of accommodating 120 enplanements has been completed. The master plan is calling for a completion of the final design and eventual construction of the facility.
Funding for the various projects has not yet been specifically identified, but according to published reports may come via the Federal Aviation Administration or capital outlay funds approved by the New Mexico State Legislature.
The master plan itself was funded through a $270,000 grant from the New Mexico Department of Transportation.
Located at 8990 Zia Boulevard, nearly 10 miles to the west of downtown Las Cruces, the airport was originally built during World War II and designed for use as an auxiliary landing field for Army Air Force bombardier training.
May 29, 2025
By Garry Boulard
Logo of Las Cruces International Airport
