Aviation / Aerospace

The Rio Grande and Estancia Valleys have been a magnet for flying, gliding, and ballooning for many years. The clear skies, cool mornings, passion and talent in the community have all contributed to a burgeoning aviation and aerospace cluster in this region. This includes aviation manufacturing, servicing, components, gliding, control systems, drone technology, etc.

Strategies: 

• Capitalize on the rail in the region and increase the amount of commercial rail to transport aircraft components. 
• Develop a logistics hub that brings assembly jobs to the region and makes the Abq metro area, with its access to rail, highway, and air transport, an inland port.
• Support a commercial air, rail and logistics hub in the Abq Metro area to facilitate assembly, manufacturing and transport of aviation-related components.
• Increase recruitment of aviation related companies
• Support the Aviation Center of Excellence and other aviation-cluster focused business centers.
• Support non-stop flights to Abq from other major cities.
• Increase collaboration on aviation and aerospace technology with Sandia National Laboratory, the University of New Mexico and the Air Force Research Lab.
• Continue to make improvements to the Double Eagle II Airport.
• Continue to support the growth and diversification of the aviation/aerospace cluster.
• Continue to support airport improvements in rural areas.
• Promote use of the FTZ and sub zones in the four county area, including a possible Alternative Site Framework.

Partners:

City of Albuquerque and City of Abq Aviation; City of Moriarty Airport; Belen Airport, the University of New Mexico, Central New Mexico Community College, Sandia National Labs, Air Force Research Labs; Estancia Valley Economic Development Association.

Measures:

• An increase in the number of non-stop flights from major cities.
• Development of a public and private transportation and logistics facility.  
• Development of a Center of Excellence for the aviation cluster.

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