Sunport and marijuana sales reach milestones

New Mexico hit major milestones at its largest airport and in cannabis sales recently.

Last week, city of Albuquerque officials welcomed the opening of the first phase of the Albuquerque International Sunport's "Dream of Flight" renovation project — a years-long, nearly $90 million construction project that includes an upgrade to the food hall and concession stands.

The food hall opened just in time for the holiday rush. Dunkin', Rush of Prana, Panda Express and Flavor of New Mexico are open inside the food hall, and a local bar should be up and running by now.

The restaurants are operated by Fresquez Companies, a local family business that has carved out a niche of operating restaurants inside airports across the country. We have a story about the family in this week's edition of Outlook.

CEO Lenny Fresquez and his daughter, LeeAnna Fresquez, the president of the company, explained the added logistics that go into operating within a secure airport. There's a reason that I paid $20 for a bloody mary on my way back home for Christmas.

Fresquez's products are inspected by drug sniffing dogs and security. They receive the same scrutiny as luggage. That means added costs, which is why we have sticker shock when we purchase bottle water or headphones at airports.

The recent opening of the food hall is just the first part of the ongoing construction project. More restaurants and bars — the vast majority of them local — will be rolling out in the coming months.

City officials said that it's important to have a nice and relaxing airports. The Sunport is essentially the front porch of Albuquerque. It's the first thing visitors see when they arrive and the last thing they experience when they leave. That makes it an important symbol for a state where tourism and outdoor recreation are primary industries.

New Mexico also hit a milestone with cannabis sales, topping $1 billion in sales since selling recreational cannabis to adults became legal in 2022.

It's not the usual green plant we associate with Christmas, but it turns out the substance is proving popular in New Mexico. However, in the story we talked to a cannabis expert who predicts that the popularity of marijuana may be plateauing in New Mexico.

We'll be following our airport and the marijuana industry next year.