FAA Releases $3.1 Million For Runway Project

Pilots flying into the Albuquerque within the not-too-distant future will see evidence of progress at the area's general aviation airport. The FAA has released $3.1 million to fund runway upgrades at Albuquerque's Double Eagle II Airport. The money will be used to rebuild runway 17-35 at the general aviation facility that supports 240 aircraft and 120,000 takeoffs and landings each year. Within five years Double Eagle is expected to be home to Eclipse Aviation's new $90 million manufacturing facility as well as a host of Eclipse's suppliers.

Two Denver-area aircraft manufacturers have also been approached to set-up shop in Albuquerque. Adam Aircraft and Aviation Technology Group are presently planning for their future manufacturing needs.

"As the Westside continues to grow, Double Eagle provides the area with thousands of flights a year ranging from military to emergency response flights," U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici(R-NM) said in a news release that announced the federal funding. "This is important as we look to this airport hosting future aircraft manufacturing."

FMI: www.cabq.gov/airport/doubleeagle/double.html