Roswell Airport officials told the City Council on April 10 that passenger boardings have increased year‑over‑year and that a recently completed five‑year capital improvement plan will be submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration as the airport pursues federal funding.

Airport Director Bobby Thompson reported the airport turned another profitable month, is addressing deferred maintenance and has assembled a CIP that includes fire‑response equipment upgrades and terminal backup power. “One of the most important things I think is we need to improve our fire response equipment,” Thompson said.

Thompson also said the airport has been working with the Roswell city manager and private parties on spaceport designation efforts and that Boeing run‑tests are already using Roswell facilities. Thompson noted terminal restroom rehabilitation, airport pavement repairs and a planned backup generator — work he said should be completed in time for the National Championship Air Races in September.

Representatives of the National Championship Air Races briefed the council on event planning and ticketing. Craig Kelly, chairman and CEO of the races, said ticketing has opened and initial sales track closely to historic years; organizers said early estimates still project substantial attendance while cautioning that housing and logistics remain a constraint. “If we continue to track with that, we could be looking as many as 85,000 people here in Roswell,” Kelly said, later adding a “realistic” target of about 50,000 given regional lodging limits.

On funding, Thompson and Craig Collins of the race organization said the New Mexico Department of Transportation and state officials have arranged a $5 million state grant to rehabilitate apron pavement and part of an old runway; Collins said the grant has a late‑August target for completion to support September events. "The city has received the grant... $5,000,000 is being provided by the state of New Mexico to development of the apron," Collins said.

Airport staff also reported approvals from the FAA for pylon placement and construction‑plan approvals connected to the races, and described ongoing tenant lease work and equipment upgrades. Staff said some work was completed in house — conduit installation and other tasks — and that terminal repairs begun after recent floods are underway with an anticipated completion timeline before race week.

Councilors asked about potential crowding and connectivity to western air service; Thompson said staff are pursuing additional air service and connections via air‑service consultants. No formal council action was taken on the airport items at the meeting.