Author: Aviatorfinds

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Elevated at 6,237 ft in the high-desert foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains just 10 miles south of downtown Santa Fe, Santa Fe Regional Airport (KSAF) is New Mexico’s gateway to art, culture, and adventure, handling 150,000+ passengers and 100,000+ operations annually. With dual 9,000 ft runways optimized for high-altitude ops and stunning views of the Jemez Range, it’s a pilot’s paradise for GA training, business jets, and commercial flights to hubs like DFW and DEN—ideal for Southwest pilots blending scenic arrivals with Canyon Road galleries or Ski Santa Fe runs under 300+ sunny days.

Coordinates: 35°37′02″N 106°05′21″W | Elevation: 6,237 ft (1,901 m) | Est. 1937

Brief History
Opened in 1937 as a modest dirt strip for local mail service, KSAF expanded during WWII as a civilian auxiliary to Kirtland AFB, training pilots amid New Mexico’s clear skies. Renamed Santa Fe Municipal Airport in 1948 and upgraded to regional status in 1986 with paved runways and a modern terminal, it now features ongoing enhancements like the 2022 solar array and 2024 taxiway resurfacing, solidifying its role as a high-elevation reliever with ties to Los Alamos National Lab flights.