Albuquerque International Sunport offers community a ‘taste’ of what’s to come

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – For many visitors to the Land of Enchantment, it’s the first place they see and the last impression they get of New Mexico: the Albuquerque International Sunport. Now, the airport is trying to take flavors to new heights for people passing through—unveiling more than 15 new concessionaires which are expected to be up and running in the airport beginning this fall.

“What we’re doing at the airport is a generational investment. It is meant to last us 40 years; and that includes a whole host of new food offerings,” said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. The city is giving the community a taste of what’s to come:

“We love our foods, so when we’re in our own airport, we want to eat our food. And so, that’s cool. But also we like to show off our food to everyone else, and look, it’s also economic development,” Keller said.

16 new concessionaires are coming to the Sunport’s food hall, and they’re mostly local brands like Sadie’s, New Mexico Piñon Coffee, Laguna Burger, and more. “That means entrepreneur opportunity for small businesses in our city. It also means hundreds of jobs for folks in our city. It also means that those dollars stay here in our city,” Keller says.

Tuesday, people got to try out those concessions before they begin moving into the airport. “We really wanted to kind of showcase what’s happening before it happens; one, because we’re so excited about it, and we knew members of the community were excited about it,” says Manny Manriquez with the City of Albuquerque’s Aviation Department, “This is an opportunity, before those units open their doors, to introduce the people behind the vision.”

The vendors at the event echoed that enthusiasm: “I think its exciting because a lot of people will find out [about] our Indian bread and our native, our cookies, you know,” said Rita Toledo, chef for the Indian Pueblo Kitchen.

“I think it’s really awesome. We get a lot of tourists coming in to see us anyways. We have really unique flavors that really showcase New Mexico so I think it’s going to be really awesome to be one of the first people customers see when they come into the airport,” said Christina Ortiz, director of operations for New Mexico Piñon Coffee.

The renovation of the Sunport so far has cost roughly $90 million. Officials said most of the work should be done on the airport by the end of 2025.

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