Taos Regional Airport (SKX) in New Mexico recently dedicated a new 8,600-foot runway, culminating an effort that spanned two decades, the FAA said. FAA Administrator Michael Huerta joined local and state officials in the August 25 dedication of Runway 12/30, which is perpendicular to the original 5,500-foot Runway 4/22.
“An airport is a treasure. It is the lifeblood of a community, an asset that must be nurtured,” Huerta said. “The result of our collaborative efforts is a project that will improve both the safety and utility of this important regional transportation link, while respecting the traditional values and unique culture of the Taos Pueblo.”
Runway 12/30 will enable pilots to fly into the airport more safely when wind direction can make operations at the airfield—which is located at a nearly 7,100-foot elevation—challenging. The runway project included measures to protect the lands and lifestyle of the Taos Pueblo, the FAA said, adding the environmental considerations included extensive government-to-government consultations with the Taos Pueblo, Town of Pueblo and state and federal agencies. As a result, several mitigation efforts were put in place, including a passive noise monitoring system and the raising of the voluntary minimum flight altitude above World Heritage site and adjacent lands from 2,000 feet to 5,000 feet.
The project primarily was paid for through federal grants totaling approximately $25 million.