Flying into Santa Fe (SAF): What to Expect in 2025

Sponsored by Fly Santa Fe

Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF) is poised for a transformative year in 2025, blending historic charm and community focus with modern upgrades and a traveler-first philosophy.

For both first-time visitors and frequent flyers, here’s what you can expect when flying into New Mexico’s capital city this year.

A Boutique Airport with Big-City Reach

The airport offers direct flights to major hubs like Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, and Houston, with plans to reintroduce its pre-pandemic non-stop route to Los Angeles. SAF makes connections to destinations worldwide straightforward and hassle-free.

At 6,348 feet above sea level, SAF has long played a vital role in connecting Northern New Mexico to the rest of the country. It has evolved from its 1941 military-field origins into New Mexico’s second-busiest commercial airport, handling over 360,000 travelers in 2024 — up nearly 30 percent year-over-year.

The airport’s manageable size has always been a point of pride, offering a more relaxed and efficient alternative to larger regional hubs. However, passenger growth at SAF is on the rise, with projections indicating steady increases over the next several years.

“We’re on track to top 400,000 travelers in 2025, and we’ve already outgrown Phase 1 of the terminal,” says former Airport Director James Harris.

That growth spurt triggered design funding for SAF’s Expansion Phase 2, which includes an enclosed baggage-claim hall, and a solar-shaded garage slated to break ground in early 2026. Despite growth, Harris reminds locals that from wheels-down to your front door can be under 30 minutes.

With the streamlined convenience, the terminal still feels more art gallery than an airfield concourse, with adobe-inspired walls, Pueblo-style vigas, and mountain views that greet you the moment you step on the tarmac.

How Harris Accelerated the Upgrade Cycle

Since taking the helm, Director James Harris has turned three nagging deficiencies into concrete wins. He expanded the lean staff of seven to 31 by hiring in-house security, a project administrator, and a heavy-equipment mechanic — saving approximately $250K per year on contracted guards and reduced equipment downtime.

By absorbing all badging and patrol duties under airport payroll, he eliminated prior FAA/TSA compliance findings within a single year. He modernized the aging fire-rescue fleet by ordering two E-1 Titan 6×6 crash trucks — their arrival was celebrated by a “spray-down” commissioning ceremony in early June 2025, a long-held tradition among firefighters to officially “bless” the new equipment and dedicate it to the protection of the community.

Finally, Harris overhauled the maintenance shop, investing $300 K in tools. and $500 K in refreshed vehicles, to ensure runways, snow-removal gear, and ground support equipment stay mission-ready year-round.

Safety First: The New Titans

Additionally, Harris upgraded SAF’s aging ARFF (Aircraft Rescue and Fire-Fighting) fleet, with two E-ONE TITAN™ 6X6 ARFF trucks –– each is capable of holding 3,170 gallons of water, 445 gallons of firefighting foam, and 500 pounds of dry chemical to put out any air plane emergency, and plus, transport emergency personnel.

Each of these E-ONE TITAN‘s can pump up to 1,250 gallons per minute through roof and bumper turrets and reach any runway end in under three minutes — far exceeding FAA Index C standards.

Stationed on constant standby during airport operations, these vehicles provide SAF a rapid-response safety net should an emergency occur during takeoff or landing. As Harris emphasized: “You don’t ever want to use them, but you want them when you need them.”

Now, SAF has put these most advanced aircraft rescue and fire-fighting units into action at SAF.

The 2025 Passenger Experience

New Space, Santa Fe Style

8,000 square foot terminal addition. Wider gate seating, padded work counters, and floor-to-ceiling windows keep things airy while you wait.
Observation patio. Sip a latte while watching sunset over the Caja del Rio from the covered outdoor terrace.
Local flavors on the concourse. Wolf & Mermaid Enchanted Roasters pours small-batch coffee and serves green-chile croissants until the last departure; pop-up food-truck pads are slated to follow later in the year.
Coming soon: A gift-shop boutique featuring locally crafted jewelry and pottery is in bid review now, with opening targeted for late 2025.

Lightning-quick Security

Security lines at nearby hubs can run over 30 minutes, so plan accordingly if friends insist on the “easy” drive to Albuquerque.

Keep in mind that TSA Pre-check protocol at SAF may be a little different than what you are used to at other larger airports. You may need to remove your shoes and your laptop from your bag, and will be given a card to carry through security to alert the TSA agents to your pre-check status.

But, as Harris notes, “You can get through our TSA checkpoint in five to 10 minutes — even when we’re short-staffed.”

Baggage Claim, Parking, & Ground Transport

Until Phase 2 converts the new north hall into a permanent carousel room, bags arrive at a climate-controlled portable annex just outside arrivals; rental-car counters are adjacent. For now, no on-site locker service is available — if an item can’t fly, it must be surrendered or mailed home.

Rideshares, taxis, and shuttle vans all stage curbside. SAF parking is free for the first 30 minutes and the daily rate is $7. SAF is working hard to get a regular parking lot shuttle service running, and is actively hiring committed drivers for its shuttle services.

First-Timer Playbook

Pre-book rental cars. Summer weekends sell out fast.
Hydrate. The runway sits at 6,348 feet; sip water before descent.
Enjoy the drive. Downtown hotels lie 10 minutes from the curb and many Airbnb casitas can be found even closer.

Looking Ahead: Phase 2 and Beyond

Set for groundbreaking in early 2026, the $20 million second phase will:

Relocate baggage claim inside the south-side 13,000 square foot expansion, complete with rental-car desks and public art.
Add a dedicated NM-599 connector road direct to the terminal from Jaguar Road/NM-599 intersection, slicing off driving time to and from the airport.
Interior finishes mirroring Santa Fe style — earth-toned stucco, vigas, and local art installations
Relocate baggage claim inside the south-side 13,000 square foot expansion, complete with rental-car desks and public art.
Relocate ARFF station south of the main apron.

The design, environmental, and Department of Transportation (DOT) permitting rules have caused a slight delay for the 0.4-mile connector road to NM-599. Harris fought to keep costs low since the proposed road is on airport property, but the necessary DOT specs add approximately $1M and three more months.

City council already authorized $8M from SAF’s cash-balance account for additional airfield lighting, a snow-equipment barn, and terminal art installations — ensuring the next director has the funds to carry the vision through Phase 7. After Harris’s achievements, the next airport director has big boots to fill.

Why Start Your Trip at SAF?

Under Harris, SAF jumped from being a charming, but understaffed, airfield outpost to a self-funded regional gateway. Travelers in 2025 can bank on speed, scenery, and safety, plus short lines, friendly staff, fresh roasted coffee, and the SAF “convenience factor” locals love.

Whether you plan to land at SAF for the Santa Fe Opera or connect to the ski slopes in Taos, SAF in 2025 offers the rare combo of small-airport ease with southside Sante Fe amenities, plus quick access to downtown Sante Fe and all it offers. Smaller crowds, $7 parking, locally roasted coffee, and runway-side mountain views — why start your Northern New Mexico adventure anywhere else?Ready to skip the ABQ drive? Book your ticket today and take off on SAF’s non-stop flights to major hubs, just minutes from the Santa Fe Plaza. Fly into summer with FlySantaFe.com.