An $85 million renovation project inside the Sunport is underway and officials want local businesses for the new retail spaces being created. Sunport officials say the terminal renovation will modernize the concession and retail experience inside New Mexico’s largest airport.
“I think what we can have, and what we plan to have is a world-class airport,” said Manny Manriquez, ABQ Sunport’s innovation and commercial development director told KOB. “Modernization is not about changing the character. It’s really about thinking through how the passenger experiences the Sunport, step by step.”
Adding local businesses is a key component to expanding the airport’s concession and retail experience.
“We want to bring in the flavors of New Mexico, those local flavors, and represent the local business community in that way,” Manriquez said.
The Sunport created a website with everything businesses need to know about operating at the Sunport, and what is needed to secure a spot inside the renovated terminal.
“We want to provide that kind of support because operating in an airport is different than operating out in the city,” Manriquez said. “You know, there’s, there are different requirements for logistics and security and so forth.”
The website also includes information on the Department of Transportation’s “Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise” program, which is designed to level the playing field for smaller businesses.
“That program will help us to really help shape and define the sense of place that we take so much pride in,” Manriquez said. The official bidding process will start early next year. Sunport officials said the full renovation could be completed by the end of 2024.
