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Santa Fe Municipal Airport proposes fee increases and new landing charges in FY26 budget
Summary
Airport management presented a FY26 budget that increases projected revenue through aircraft landing fees, higher parking and fuel flowage fees, and concession revenue while seeking funds for staffing and facility improvements.
Santa Fe Municipal Airport presented a proposed FY26 operating budget Tuesday that relies on new and adjusted aviation fees to close a budget gap and support staffing and maintenance needs.
Airport Director (last name not stated in transcript) told the Finance Committee the airport’s FY26 proposed budget totals $5,381,879 — about $723,555 higher than the current year — and projects roughly $5,002,630 in revenue. The director identified several new or increased revenue lines: aircraft landing fees (projected $1,332,636), higher passenger parking receipts (projected $700,000), increased fuel flowage fees (projected $470,000), and higher concession fees (projected $1,120,000). The director described those projections as conservative.
Why it matters: airport revenues and fees
The airport presented the fee and revenue adjustments as part of a multi‑pronged effort to fund staffing, improve passenger and ground infrastructure, and maintain compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements. Staff said the FY26 budget will support completed and ongoing capital purchases and facility work, and will help stabilize airport operations after recent growth in passenger activity.
Operational details and projects
- Terminal and capital: The airport has completed phase 1 of its terminal work and said design for phases 2 and 3 is roughly 75% complete; staff proposed continuing to design the combined phases for cost savings and economies of scale.
- Airport access road: The airport has a design scope ready to begin work with Public Works and expects the project to require FAA, state and local environmental and design coordination before construction; initial engineering estimates discussed with the legislature were roughly $4.5 million but staff noted final DOT standards and environmental work could raise costs.
- Parking and shuttle operations: Staff said they purchased six new light carts for nighttime safety and are hiring additional shuttle drivers to increase frequency between long‑term lots and the terminal. The airport reported improvements following complaints about signage and towing at a rental car lot that resulted in multiple tows; staff said they assisted affected patrons where appropriate.
- Safety and compliance: The airport said it resolved most FAA issues and is in compliance with Part 139 requirements; an annual FAA inspection is expected in July. The airport also described recent purchases of two large aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicles (one in hand, one expected soon).
Committee action
The Finance Committee voted to preliminarily approve the airport budget; committee roll call recorded affirmative votes from Councilors Cassatt, Lindell, Faulkner, Lee Garcia and Chair Romero Worth.
Ending note
Airport staff said the FY26 budget prioritizes conservative revenue estimates while advancing design work for terminal expansion, continuing safety and compliance investments, and seeking to complete the airport access road design in coordination with the state Department of Transportation and Public Works.
