The Albuquerque international Sunport has been New Mexicos largest airport since completion

in 1939. Without this key hub, Albuquerque likely wouldnt be as large as it is today. The
Sunport serves as gateway to the Land of Enchantment for those who call it home, and for those
who are just visiting. Yet the Sun seems to be slowly setting on such a cultural access point. In
1990 4,987,000 passengers traveled through the Sunport. 17 years later, in 2007 the airport
reached its peak traffic history, recording 6,668,000 passengers. However, since 2007 the
numbers have been dropping rapidly, and in 2014 the airport saw only 4,871,000 passengers.
That means that the Sunport had recorded its lowest passenger traffic count in over 25 years.

To the untrained eye, this low may seem insignificant however our own University of New
Mexico conducted an economic impact study in 2013. It found that Albuquerque International
Sunport is responsible for $1.9 billion in economic output for the state of New Mexico. This
highlights that not only does the Sunport bring our families and breaking bad tourists to visit, but
it also brings economic backing as well.

This decline in traffic has not gone unnoticed to airport and city officials. In 2013 the City of
Albuquerque Aviation Department created an incentives program to offer to qualifying airlines.
The program offers participating airlines a percentage discount on landing fees, terminal rates,
baggage claim rates, and loading operating fees. The program has yet to even make a blip on the
passenger counts in the year since its initiation. The Airline Incentive and Marketing Program
has failed to do its primary goal: Promote the development of business opportunities, which
ensure financial capacity of the Albuquerque Airport System. The success of the Sunport is
directly related to the success of local businesses. That is why I have crafted a proposal to give a
specific airline better incentives to offer cheaper flights to, from, and through the Albuquerque
International Sunport.

Southwest Airlines accounts for over 60% of all flights to and from the Sunport. According to a
Southwest spokesman, the airline specializes in short, low cost flights to major destinations
across the U.S. By using this model, my proposal can work to both the Sunport and Southwests
benefit.
In the 2013 Airline Incentive and Marketing Program I propose a change to the discount
percentage for landing fees, terminal rates, and baggage claim rates from 75% to 85%. This 10%
discount would be exclusive to Southwest Airlines. Furthermore, the Sunport will designate 2
more gates for Southwest priority use. In return Southwest Airlines would make Albuquerque
International Sunport the primary hub for connecting flights in the Southwest U.S. This would
ensure the airport is not skipped over in favor of larger airports with cheaper terminal rates.
Additionally, Southwest Airlines will reduce all tickets prices specifically to or from the Sunport
by 5% to decrease travel costs to those wishing to utilize the airport without the high ticket costs
faced currently.

After drafting and signing the revision, Albuquerque International Airport will decrease the fees
discussed above immediately. Southwest Airlines will reduce tickets prices by 5% immediately.
This will help jump start the Sunport back to life and ensure the economic success continues on a
short term basis. After a time determined fit by both Southwest and Sunport officials, connecting
flights will be increasingly routed through the Sunport. This proposal should be in full effect
after no more than 4 years. This time line allows preparation for both parties while also
maintaining a strict respect to the local economy.

After the 4 year time line has been reached, the Airport Advisory Board and Southwest Airlines
will review agreement and make necessary changes to appease both parties. If this plan is
followed, the Albuquerque International Sunport will see a gradual climb in passenger traffic
resulting in the numbers seen in 2007. Not only will this put the Sunport on Southwests
destinations but it may also affect the view every airline has on the business opportunity the
Sunport presents.

The Sunport presents many opportunities to the local economy but it can also present many
dangers. If the passenger decline is not assessed and corrected Albuquerques businesses,
schools, and families will all face economic downfall. The proposal highlighted above offers a
solution to an ever growing problem and will ensure the success of our airport, city, and culture.

Works Cited
City of Albuquerque Aviation Department. "Airport." City of Albuquerque. N.p., n.d. Web.
17 Apr. 2015.
"Doing Business." Albuquerque International Sunport. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.
Dyer, Jessica. "Sunport traffic plunges." Albuquerque Journal 28 Mar. 2013: n. pag. Web.
18 Apr. 2015.
"Facts and Figures." Albuquerque International Sunport. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2015.
Scott, Damon. "Sunport traffic slowdown crimps retailers." Albuquerque Business
First20 Sept. 2013: n. pag. Web. 21 Apr. 2015.