Roswell International Air Center

T he Roswell International Air Center (RIAC) is located five miles south of the central business district of the City of Roswell and is the core of southeastern New Mexico’s industrial activity. RIAC was originally an army airfield and training facility during the Second World War. The facility then served as part of the U.S. Strategic Air Command Nuclear Deterrent Program. In 1967, it was closed by the Air Force and the 5,000-acre property was transferred to the City of Roswell, becoming its municipal airport and aviation-related business park. Today, various industries are located at RIAC, including those that store, refurbish, and dismantle airliners. Airlines from around the world store, repair, and obtain parts from the giant aircraft that are already parked, or being worked on, at the facility. The Airport also has commercial service with American Airlines’ scheduled flights to and from Dallas/Ft. Worth and Phoenix, as well as general aviation aircraft that call RIAC, home. Growth and expansion are always on the agenda at RIAC, as is normal and necessary maintenance. Two years ago, the Airport completed a $22 million reconstruction project on its 13,000-ft. long runway, 3/21, and this past year, its 10,000-ft. runway, 17/35, underwent a million dollar asphalt refurbishment. “We completed that in January,” says Air Center Director, Scott Stark. “It’s all repaired and back up to its published strength. So, of course, we’re taking advantage of that and stay busy with aircraft using it. The Navy came in with 25 Texan-2s in January through April, and wound up with about 35 aircraft, halfway through. They had an extremely successful detachment; they came in with a goal of 4,000 flight hours and they left having accomplished over 7,000 flight hours. That was a good example of why that ional Air Center Expanding opportunities