Roswell Air Center Airport

KROW ROW Roswell, NM

KROW is the ICAO code for Roswell Air Center Airport (IATA ROW), located in Roswell, NM.

A former Air Force base with 13,000-foot runways and zero congestion, serving Roswell, NM and the surrounding Pecos Valley region.

Airport guide

Roswell Air Center sits on the footprint of Walker Air Force Base, closed in 1967. The runway infrastructure left behind is substantially overbuilt for typical general aviation traffic: the primary runway (03/21) runs 13,000 feet, and a second runway (12/30) adds 8,000 feet. Large-cabin jets and ultra-long-range aircraft have no issues here. Elevation is 3,671 feet MSL, so performance planning matters in summer heat, but the runways absorb that margin easily.

The airport sees minimal traffic and no slot requirements. Ramp space is not a concern. This is one of the more friction-free airports in the Southwest for private operations, and the dry desert air makes it a regional hub for aircraft storage and maintenance. If you are arriving for an event or staying multiple days, parking your aircraft here costs far less than at busier regional airports.

For passengers, the FBO provides standard services. There are no published noise curfews. The airport does not have a permanent U.S. Customs facility, so international arrivals will need to arrange customs clearance at a port of entry.

Getting there

Downtown Roswell is 8 miles north of the airport, about 12 minutes by car. Uber and Lyft operate in Roswell but availability is limited, especially late at night. Car rentals are available at the airport. If you are heading to the Roswell area for an extended stay, arranging a rental in advance is the reliable option.

Albuquerque is 193 miles northwest via US-285 and I-40, approximately 2 hours 45 minutes. El Paso is 203 miles south via US-285 and US-54, also around 2 hours 45 minutes. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is 75 miles southwest, about 1 hour 15 minutes.