Ruidoso council advances plan to restrict vehicle access on terminal apron; asks for detailed map

Airport manager Lee returned to council with a proposal to limit privately owned vehicle access to a defined portion of the apron directly south of the terminal while commercial aircraft operate. Lee described proposed demarcation lines running from the southwest corner out toward the grass by the taxiway then east to the ARFF building, and said privately owned vehicles would still be able to access the apron through Gates 3 and 4 into a designated driving lane.

Lee said the restrictions are intended to improve safety with commercial air carrier service now operating at the airport. "The aircraft ramp is a part of the AOA, and it is up to the airport sponsor to ensure the safety protocols are in place," Lee said, referencing FAA responsibilities. He described enforcement measures including signage, painted zipper and driving lines, and revocation of gate cards for violators. "If they do, then they will be forced to leave ... And we will revoke their their gate," Lee said.

Councilors raised concerns about how to notify hangar tenants, whether private general aviation (GA) users could be accommodated elsewhere, and how gate-card revocations would be implemented. Several councilors requested a more specific, scaled map showing exact loading/unloading, GA parking and pick-up/drop-off areas. Council directed staff to meet with the FAA inspector and the village’s engineers to produce a clearer rendering and return with a map for further discussion next week. No ordinance or final action was adopted at the workshop; the council set expectations for written rules, posted signage and an enforcement policy to support any restriction.