Albuquerque International Sunport, New Mexico’s largest commercial airport, has announced a major renovation project to upgrade the airport’s safety and security infrastructure, along with their food and retail offerings.
The first component of the project will relocate the TSA screening checkpoint north towards the escalators to enable greater security efficiency for passengers and TSA agents.
The second phase will take place behind the scenes to modernise the airport’s fire suppression, HVAC, plumbing, mechanical and electrical infrastructure inline with modern building codes. The project will also convert the terminal’s lighting to LED to aid the airport’s sustainability efforts.
CABQ Chief Operations Officer Lawrence Rael, said:This is a major project that will level-up our Sunport for traveller safety and ease every time they fly. But most significantly, we are making changes behind the scenes; upgrading safety and building infrastructure to continue our work running a state-of-the-art travel hub for the southwest.
The final phase of the project will renovate the Sunport’s food and retail area to provide expanded dining and shopping opportunities.
The airport’s current concessions layout was developed before the terror attacks on 11 September 2001, and has not since benefited from any significant improvements. However, passenger behaviour has changed significantly, and the average Sunport passenger now spends 55 minutes or more post-security. Moving the TSA checkpoint forward will respond to this change and create a post-security area that is 24% larger to allow for additional amenities where passengers most require them.
Mayor Tim Keller, said:The Sunport is the gateway to our city and our state, and a renovation of this magnitude to the infrastructure of the building and the area where travellers spend most of their time is long overdue. With this project, we are continuing to drive forward and improve the safety and ease of the traveller experience from the curb to the gate.
Albuquerque International Sunport is currently working with FBT Architects to conduct surveys and develop initial redevelopment designs. Construction is planned to begin in January 2023, and the project is estimated to cost 85 million USD.
