AVIATION & AEROSPACE
REACHING NEW HEIGHTS
With a high-tech workforce, an unbeatable climate and an aviation heritage spanning more than 70 years, it’s easy to see why Albuquerque has long been a haven for aviation and aerospace companies.
WHY ALBUQUERQUE
There are many reasons why the world’s premier aerospace and aviation companies do business in Albuquerque. Here are just a few:

DRONING ON
New Mexico Ranked in Top Three for Drone Friendly States

310 DAYS OF SUNSHINE
Low-risk location, ideal weather for flying and certainty of operations.

A TALENTED WORKFORCE
Albuquerque Ranked #7 for Engineering Capitals
Resources and education
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Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate
The Air Force Research Laboratory in New Mexico is leading the way in the nation’s laser, optical, and space supremacy technologies.The Space Vehicles Directorate serves as the Air Force’s “Center of Excellence” for space research and development. -
Kirtland Air Force Base
Located next to the Albuquerque International Sunport, Kirtland Air Force Base occupies nearly 52,000 acres and employs more than 23,000 people. -
Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy Directorate
The Directed Energy Directorate develops and transitions technologies in four core technical competencies: lasers systems, high-power electromagnetics, weapons modeling and simulation, and directed energy and electro-optics for space superiority. -
Albuquerque International Sunport
The Sunport is a world-renowned, full-service facility that is also New Mexico’s largest commercial airport. Destination Sunport, which is an 84-acre development, is emerging as a business hub for diverse aviation industry opportunities. -
Double Eagle II Airport
Double Eagle II is a premier general aviation reliever airport owned and operated by the City of Albuquerque. -
Moriarty Municipal Airport
The Moriarty Airport is the emergency relief airport to the Albuquerque International Sunport, and has on-airport development opportunities. -
Belen Alexander Airport
The Belen Alexander Airport has small and large areas available for development of aviation-related businesses. -
The University of New Mexico
UNM offers advanced degrees in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science. The UNM School of Engineering has an affiliated UNM Aerospace Institute that serves as a statewide clearing house for aerospace technology development, economic development, education, and training. The UNM Aerospace Institute offers courses in Dynamics & Controls, Fluids, and Structural Dynamics. -
Central New Mexico Community College
CNM offers several courses in a variety of occupational, college transfer, and developmental education subjects. The CNM schools of Business & Information Technology, Applied Technologies, and Health, Wellness, & Public Safety are a few of the specific programs that CNM has to train the aviation workforce. CNM offers an Aviation Technology degree program that prepares students for certification as FAA-certified Airframe and/or Powerplant (A&P) Technicians. -
Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Embry Riddle has branches in Albuquerque, Clovis, and Alamogordo, and offers undergraduate degrees in Aeronautics and Technical Management, as well as a master’s degree in Aeronautical Science and certificates in Aviation Safety and Maintenance Technology. -
CNM Workforce Training Center
The Workforce Training Center offers customized training services for new and expanding employers. The WTC works with employers to provide high quality employee training, continuing education, and skills development. Through its customized workshops, courses and training programs, the WTC has earned a national reputation as a key industry partner in developing and training New Mexico’s productive workforce.
Programs and Incentives
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Gross Receipts Tax Deduction on Consumables Used in the Manufacturing Process
A manufacturer may deduct the gross receipts tax paid on consumables used in the manufacturing process. “Consumable” means tangible personal property that is incorporated into, destroyed, depleted, or transformed in the process of manufacturing a product and includes electricity, fuel, water, supplies, chemicals, gases, repair, and spare parts, but does not include tools or equipment used to create the product. -
Single Sales Factor
Businesses engaged in manufacturing may elect a single sales factor option for calculating their corporate income tax. This election must be made in writing and must remain in effect for at least three consecutive taxable years containing thirty-six calendar months. -
Aircraft Maintenance Tax Deduction
Receipts from selling aircraft parts or maintenance services for aircraft or aircraft parts. Receipts of an aircraft manufacturer from selling aircraft flight support, pilot training, or maintenance training services etc. -
Space Gross Receipts Tax Deduction
Businesses may deduct receipts from launching, operating, preparing, recovering space vehicles or payloads from a spaceport in New Mexico and also from the provision of research and development, testing and evaluation services for the U.S. Air Force operationally responsive space program. Tax credits are also available for research and development services sold or for resale to the U.S. Air Force. - Job Training Incentive Program (JTIP)
The state’s highly flexible JTIP program offers a cash reimbursement to a business for on-the-job training for qualified employees of qualified employers. Customized training may be provided by post-secondary educational institutions, company trainers, or outside trainers.
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High Wage Jobs Tax Credit
A taxpayer who is an eligible employer may apply for and receive a tax credit for each new high-wage economic-base job. The credit amount equals 8.5% of the wages for each new economic-base job created. - Industrial Revenue Bond(IRB)
IRB’s allow for significant real and personal property tax and compensating (use) tax exemptions. Terms vary by community.
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Military Acquisition Program Tax Deduction
Receipts from transformational acquisition programs performing research and development, testing, and evaluation at New Mexico major range and test facility bases pursuant to contracts entered into with the U. S. Department of Defense may be deducted from gross receipts.
Key Companies
Aviation and aerospace companies investing and growing in the Albuquerque metro area include: