Albuquerque International Sunport (KABQ), New Mexico
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Albuquerque International Sunport serves as a joint-use civilian and military airfield in New Mexico, sharing its runway complex with Kirtland Air Force Base. KABQ sits at 5,355 feet elevation, roughly 16.55 nautical miles from the metro core, and handled 87,412 total operations in 2025 according to FAA TFMSC data, with 24,512 attributed to business aviation. The field offers three concrete runways, onsite CBP inspection services, and a USDA compliance agreement, supporting both domestic and international traffic through the region.
Runways
Albuquerque International Sunport has three paved runways. The longest, 08/26, is 13,793 ft long and 150 ft wide, with a concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Albuquerque International Sunport has Jet A, Jet A1, Jet A1+ and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Albuquerque International Sunport has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Albuquerque International Sunport recorded 24,512 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in June, July and October. Business aviation traffic at KABQ concentrates in the summer and fall months, with October, July, and June showing the highest monthly volumes according to FAA TFMSC data.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month October, 2,295 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Albuquerque International Sunport averages 22.3 days above 90°F in July, 26.1 freeze days in January and 0.8 snow days in December. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 91.2°F, and December the coldest, at 47.3°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Albuquerque International Sunport has published operating constraints in five categories: access, runway notes, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
Departure restricted; prior permission required from the air traffic control tower.
Runway 08 and Runway 12 approach ends are decoupled but share a common hold-short line.
Takeoff via Taxiway E; full runway length available via back-taxi. Runway 08 and Runway 12 approach ends are decoupled but share a common hold-short line.
The PAPI does not provide obstacle clearance beyond 3.5 nautical miles from the threshold and is unusable beyond that distance.
Approach ratio is 50:1 to the displaced threshold.
Bird hazard present October through December and March through May; student helicopter traffic in the area.
PCR value: 800/R/D/W/T.
PCR value: 700/R/B/W/T.
PCR value: 460/R/D/W/T.
For landing, the last available exit is Taxiway E; exit E1 is not possible.
Controlled firing area to the south.
Aircraft rescue and firefighting services provided by the US Air Force.
Air carrier ground handling not available from 0100 to 0430.
Taxiway H is for military use only.
Fighter aircraft depart to the south only.
Taxiway E5 is closed.
Service: military fuel grade A++ available; A++ and 100 octane.
Military weather service available 1300-0600Z, Monday through Friday; closed weekends, holidays, and down days. After-hours mission weather support briefings are available by contacting the 25th Operational Weather Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. National Weather Service KABQ forecast office and FAA observation services are also available around the clock through separate contact channels.
For temporary duty of two or more days, or missions requiring special handling, contact the 377th Air Base Wing Inspector General office at least 14 days prior to the anticipated arrival date.
Air Force military weather service available 1300-0600Z, Monday through Friday.
Air Force: Kirtland Air Force Base airfield management operates 1400-2300Z, Monday through Friday; closed Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Albuquerque International Sunport has five airfields within 31 NM. The closest is Double Eagle II (KAEG), 11.17 NM northwest.
Part of the Albuquerque and Santa Fe area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KABQ
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KABQ.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What runway lengths are available at KABQ for large business jets?
Albuquerque International Sunport operates three paved concrete runways, with the longest being Runway 08/26 at 13,793 feet. Runway 03/21 offers 10,000 feet, and Runway 12/30 provides 6,000 feet. All three runways are 150 feet wide, giving operators substantial margin for heavy or long-range aircraft. The airfield sits at an elevation of 5,355 feet, a factor that affects density altitude performance calculations, particularly in summer months. KABQ shares its field with Kirtland Air Force Base, which shapes some runway procedures.
Is Albuquerque International Sunport a joint-use military and civilian airport?
Yes, KABQ is a joint-use facility shared with Kirtland Air Force Base. Aircraft rescue and firefighting service at the airport is provided by the USAF rather than a civilian department. Taxiway H is restricted to military use only, and fighter aircraft departures are limited to the south direction. Kirtland AFB airfield management operates on a Monday through Friday schedule and is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. Dispatchers coordinating military-adjacent operations should account for these shared-use constraints when planning arrivals or departures at KABQ.
Does Albuquerque International Sunport have customs processing onsite?
Yes, CBP inspection services are available onsite at KABQ, and the airport also maintains a USDA compliance agreement. This combination supports international arrivals requiring both customs clearance and agricultural inspection without diversion to another facility. As with all US airports processing cross-border traffic into Mexico or Canada, dispatchers should confirm current CBP hours and any advance notice requirements directly before planning an international arrival. Albuquerque International Sunport's onsite customs capability makes it a practical option for operators routing through the southwestern United States.
What is the seasonal traffic pattern for business aviation at KABQ?
Business aviation traffic at Albuquerque International Sunport shows a concentration during the mid-to-late year months, according to FAA TFMSC data. October recorded the highest monthly total at 2,295 operations, followed closely by July at 2,254 and June at 2,212. Winter months such as February and December show comparatively lighter volume, near 1,800 to 1,900 operations. Total annual business aviation operations at KABQ reached 24,512 out of 87,412 overall operations recorded for 2025. Operators planning trips to KABQ during the summer and fall should anticipate somewhat higher traffic density.
What bird hazard and wildlife considerations apply at Albuquerque International Sunport?
KABQ reports bird hazard conditions during October through December and again March through May, according to airfield remarks. The airport also notes student helicopter traffic operating in the vicinity during these periods. A controlled firing area is located to the south of the airfield, another factor for crews to consider during approach and departure planning. Dispatchers operating into Albuquerque International Sunport during these seasonal windows should brief crews on heightened wildlife activity and the mixed traffic environment near the field.