Work could begin later this spring on a long-planned expansion of the main terminal at the Santa Fe Regional Airport.
The $21.5 million project will take the terminal to 14,000 square feet from its current 7,000 square feet, while adding more parking space.
That new parking space will feature a solar carport with electric vehicle charging stations.
Built in 1957, the terminal, at 121 Aviation Drives, served around 100,000 passengers last year, up from 93,000 in 2017. During the first years of its operations, between 1957 and 1958, the terminal saw around 24,000 passengers.
In its traffic count, the Santa Fe airport is the second largest in the state, behind only the Albuquerque International Sunport.
Airport officials have long wanted to update the facility, which previously saw some renovation work in 2004.
Facets of the new update will include the building of a larger security screen and waiting area for departing passengers, as well as an expanded baggage claim area.
If all goes well, the airport upgrade is expected to be completed by the summer or fall of 2023.
Upon its unveiling, the terminal was hailed by the Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper for its Pueblo style of architecture. “Even the tower was designed to conform to the Pueblo style and not appear as an appendage as on most airport terminals.”
By Garry Boulard
