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Airport manager outlines challenges, safety data and plans to revive Los Alamos airport
Summary
Los Alamos County airport manager presented constraints, safety statistics and development ideas to the Transportation Board, including new fuel storage for firefighting, hangar replacements, outreach to pilots and a proposed net-zero terminal. Board members and residents asked about accidents, commercial service and rental cars.
Mr. Goddard, the county airport manager, told the Transportation Board that the Los Alamos airport faces operational and market challenges while continuing to support firefighting and medical flights.
The airport manager said the facility is “one way in, one way out” because of terrain and nearby restricted airspace, and noted the county recently added a fuel farm that should support faster firefighting refueling. He also outlined efforts to implement the airport master plan, build new T-hangars, attract mechanics and encourage pilot outreach and tourism.
The discussion matters because the airport provides emergency medical and firefighting support, daily contractor and visitor flights and is county-owned land with constrained development options. Improving the airport’s usability affects emergency response times, local tourism and regional transport connections.
Mr. Goddard summarized operational constraints and community uses, saying the field is “challenging to fly in” because prevailing winds hit the mesa and create unstable air, and that geography and FAA requirements limit development options. He described recent investments and events: the county has installed a fuel farm for Jet A fuel, hosted community events at the terminal and is planning an open house on June 28 tied to Science Fest. He said the terminal has received restorations and the county is considering energy-efficiency upgrades and “a net 0 airport” concept that could support county climate goals.
On safety, Mr. Goddard said Los Alamos has had six accidents on the field and “we've had 2 fatal accidents.” He reported a local accident rate of “about 0.57 accidents per 10,000 operations,” compared with a national general-aviation average he cited as about 0.43 per 10,000 operations, and said altitude and terrain make operations more challenging.
Board members pressed for details on timelines and next steps for hangar redevelopment. Mr. Goddard said the county expects to begin building new T-hangars “as early as this fall” or in spring, pending a contractor contract and that the county intends to compensate existing hangar owners at full appraised market value for relocations. He described efforts to recruit a local fixed-base operator or rental-car service and said earlier requests for rental-car vendors produced no bids, but he recommended renewed outreach.
On restoring commercial service, Mr. Goddard and County Engineer Eric Ulibarri said previous commercial flights ended around 2016 because the market and subsidy structure did not sustain a privately run service. Mr. Goddard said he is exploring contacts at LANL and NMDOT grant opportunities that support restoring commercial service but cautioned sustaining service requires stable demand and possibly local subsidy.
Residents and board members raised tourism and outreach ideas. Mr. Goddard said he is working with the New Mexico Pilots Association on a kiosk prototype and materials to attract visiting pilots and highlight nearby hiking and trails. He described a Santa-themed community event that drew about 300 people and regular youth and Young Eagles activities with the Experimental Aircraft Association.
The airport manager listed constraints the county cannot change alone: FAA grant assurances, airspace restrictions related to LANL, limited developable acreage (areas near old landfill remain unsuitable for permanent structures) and the declining local pilot base following the loss of a flying club and local mechanics. He recommended public–private partnerships, implementing the 2013 airport master plan and targeted facility upkeep to make the terminal more welcoming.
The presentation concluded with board and public questions about accident severity, hangar buyouts, rental car demand and prospects for commercial service. Mr. Goddard said the county continues to pursue FAA and NMDOT grants for design and development and will provide more refined financial plans on request.
Ending: The board thanked Mr. Goddard for the presentation and noted the airport open house scheduled for June 28.
