Cavern City Air Trml Airport (KCNM), New Mexico
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Cavern City Air Terminal (KCNM) serves Carlsbad, New Mexico, with four paved asphalt runways, the longest stretching 7,854 feet. The airport is uncontrolled and operates under a published attendance schedule rather than continuous staffing, with both 100LL and Jet A fuel available during those hours. As a Level 1 field with 6,385 total annual operations recorded in 2025 by FAA TFMSC, the bulk of activity here is business aviation traffic, making it a relevant stop for operators working the southeastern New Mexico corridor near Carlsbad Caverns.
Runways
Cavern City Air Trml Airport has four paved runways. The longest, 03/21, is 7,854 ft long and 150 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Cavern City Air Trml Airport has Jet A1+ and 100LL available on the field. The airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Cavern City Air Trml Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Roswell Air Center (KROW), 59 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Cavern City Air Trml Airport recorded 5,431 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in October and December. Business aviation traffic at KCNM is concentrated in the fall, peaking in October at 518 operations.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month October, 518 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Cavern City Air Trml Airport averages 27.2 days above 90°F in July and 20.6 freeze days in January. June is the warmest month, with average highs of 96.2°F, and December the coldest, at 57.3°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Cavern City Air Trml Airport has published operating constraints in three categories: runway notes, pavement strength and other notes.
The MALSR on Runway 03 is pilot-activated; MIRL lighting on Runways 03/21, 08/26, and 14R/32L is also pilot-activated via CTAF. The MALSR on Runway 03 and MIRL on Runways 03/21, 08/26, and 14R/32L are preset to low intensity, with the option to increase intensity via CTAF.
Runway 14L/32R is not available for Part 121 or Part 380 operations involving scheduled passenger-carrying flights with more than 9 passenger seats, or non-scheduled passenger-carrying flights with more than 30 passenger seats.
The approach slope is 50:1 from the displaced threshold.
The approach slope is 38:1 from the displaced threshold.
PCR VALUE: 180/F/D/X/T
PCR VALUE: 110/F/D/X/T
PCR VALUE: 50/F/D/X/T
PCR VALUE: 230/F/D/X/T
Fuel is not available after hours or on weekends.
Oil derricks are located in the vicinity of the airport.
For clearance delivery, if unable to contact on the FSS frequency, contact Albuquerque ARTCC.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Cavern City Air Trml Airport has one airfield within 33 NM. The closest is Artesia Municipal (KATS), 32.57 NM north.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KCNM
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 KCNM.
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 runways are available at KCNM / Cavern City Air Terminal?
Cavern City Air Terminal (KCNM) operates four paved asphalt runways. The longest is Runway 03/21 at 7,854 feet and 150 feet wide, suitable for most business jet operations. Runway 14R/32L measures 5,837 feet by 100 feet, while Runway 08/26 is 5,334 feet by 75 feet. Runway 14L/32R is the shortest at 4,616 feet but is 150 feet wide; it carries a restriction against certain scheduled and non-scheduled Part 121/380 passenger operations above specified seat thresholds.
Is fuel available at all hours at KCNM?
Fuel at Cavern City Air Terminal (KCNM) is not available after hours or on weekends, according to airport remarks. The field stocks both 100LL and Jet A (A1+) during its published attendance schedule, which runs Monday through Friday from 0600 to 2000 local and Saturday through Sunday from 0700 to 1700 local. Dispatchers planning arrivals outside these windows should confirm fuel access in advance, since supply is not guaranteed after hours or on weekends.
Are there any restrictions on Runway 14L/32R at KCNM?
Yes, Runway 14L/32R at Cavern City Air Terminal is not available for certain commercial passenger operations. Scheduled passenger-carrying flights under Part 121 or Part 380 with more than nine passenger seats cannot use this runway. Non-scheduled passenger-carrying operations are similarly restricted if they carry more than 30 passenger seats. The runway itself is 4,616 feet long and 150 feet wide, paved in asphalt. Operators flying larger passenger configurations should plan to use one of the airport's other three runways instead.
Is customs clearance available on-site at KCNM?
Cavern City Air Terminal (KCNM) does not have customs service on-site. The nearest customs facility is at Roswell (KROW), located approximately 59.32 nautical miles away. Operators requiring customs clearance need to route through KROW or another designated port of entry before or after a stop at KCNM. This should be factored into trip planning for any international arrivals or departures using this airport.
What is the seasonal traffic pattern at KCNM?
Business aviation traffic at Cavern City Air Terminal (KCNM) shows a concentration in the fall months, with October recording the highest monthly count at 518 operations according to FAA TFMSC data. September follows closely at 484 operations, and December reaches 498. The lower-traffic months tend to fall in winter and early summer, such as January at 403 and June at 410. Total annual business aviation operations for 2025 reached 5,431 out of 6,385 total operations at the field.