Roswell Air Center readies grandstands, sees military and Boeing testing as passenger numbers rebound

Bobby Thompson, the city’s new airport director, told the Roswell City Council on Feb. 13 that crews are on site for planned grandstand construction at the Roswell Air Center and that rebar and other materials have arrived. He said the contractor has staked the work area and the project is awaiting a state permit, and the city will announce a groundbreaking once the permit is issued.

Why it matters: The air races and related events are expected to increase flight activity and visitor traffic; councilors were briefed on timing and safety coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Thompson said military activity will rise in coming weeks: 30 Navy jets were expected to arrive with roughly 50 sorties per day, and about 30 military personnel were already preparing the field. He told the council Boeing plans brake testing at the airport and will bring 777 and 737 MAX aircraft for testing in support of returning those models to service. Thompson also said HondaJet has requested test activity.

On monthly operations, Thompson reported January flight operations of 1,583 — roughly 800 fewer than January of the previous year because of weather — and reported 24,084 passenger boardings for the 12-month period noted, representing about an 8% increase in enplanements compared with the prior year. He said January operating revenue was $389,480.04 and that the airport has been collecting overdue receivables, including a recent insurance recovery of $771,892.15.

The airport has about 202 aircraft parked at the field, Thompson said, and staff are negotiating storage and maintenance activity with potential tenants including Air Wisconsin. He said the fixed-base operator (FBO) recently replaced its general manager and is using regional staff while local management is adjusted.

Airport Advisory Commission member Cuffwell briefed the council on active capital projects at the Air Center, including a runway lighting rehabilitation (replacement of old wiring and fixtures), a new electrical vault planned for May, and a map apron rehabilitation coordinated to limit impact on commercial flights. He said Lochner Engineering expects the airport master plan to finish in late March or April.

The commission also reported a BLM loading pit upgrade intended to speed turnaround for fire retardant operations and a taxiway project scheduled to start in September to avoid conflict with fire season operations.

Thompson and staff said terminal restroom renovation drawings are complete; the project is grant-funded, will enlarge an existing restroom and add ADA-accessible fixtures, and is expected to be put out to bid in March with construction beginning in early April.

Thompson noted the unveiling of a monument honoring eight men killed during construction of Atlas missile silos in the 1960s, scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the terminal; he invited councilors and the public to attend.

The council and staff discussed wildlife mitigation at the airfield, including recent fence repairs after flooding, rooftop spikes to discourage pigeons, and other ongoing bird- and predator-control measures to reduce strike risk.

The city manager noted that FAA and New Mexico Aviation Division coordination remains necessary before some work can proceed and that the city will invite the council to a groundbreaking when permits clear.

The presentation closed with questions from council members about timing, permitting and safety; no formal vote was required.