Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport

Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner/Operator Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport Authority
Serves Phoenix metropolitan area
Location Mesa, Arizona
Focus city for
Built 1941
Elevation AMSL 1,384 ft / 421 m
Coordinates 33°18′28″N 111°39′20″W / 33.30778°N 111.65556°W / 33.30778; -111.65556
Website GatewayAirport.com
Maps

FAA airport diagram
IWA
Location of airport in Arizona / United States
IWA
IWA (the US)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
12C/30C 10,201 3,109 Asphalt/Concrete
12L/30R 9,300 2,835 Concrete
12R/30L 10,401 3,170 Concrete
Statistics (2014)
Aircraft operations 228,368
Based aircraft (2017) 111
Passenger volume 1,242,237

Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport (IATA: AZA, ICAO: KIWA, FAA LID: IWA), formerly Williams Gateway Airport (1994–2008) and Williams Air Force Base (1941–1993), is an international airport in the southeastern area of Mesa, Arizona, and 20 miles (17 nmi) southeast of Phoenix, in Maricopa County, Arizona.[1] The airport is owned and operated by the Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport Authority, and is a reliever airport for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It is a base for Allegiant Air. The airport authority is governed by a six-member board: the mayors of the towns of Gilbert and Queen Creek, the mayors of the cities of Mesa, Phoenix, and Apache Junction, and the tribal governor of the Gila River Indian Community.[2]

The FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2007–2011 called Phoenix–Mesa Gateway a reliever airport, which is a general aviation airport used to relieve congestion at a large airline airport.[3] Allegiant Air began scheduled service from Mesa in October 2007.[4] Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport records say the airport had 1,242,237 passenger boardings (or approx. 621,000 enplanements) in calendar year 2014.

Most U.S. airports use the same three-letter location identifier for the FAA and IATA, but Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport has different codes for each. The aviation community generally uses the FAA code of IWA, while commercial passenger flight organizations use the IATA code of AZA.[5]

History

Entrance to the airport showing the former name
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Baggage Claim Building
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Baggage Claim Building

The airport was built in 1941 as Higley Field; it was renamed Williams Field on 24 February 1942 in honor of Arizona native 1st Lt. Charles Linton Williams (1898–1927), who while serving with the 19th Pursuit Squadron from Wheeler Field, Oahu was killed when he had to ditch his Boeing PW-9A, 26-353, in the Pacific Ocean about one mile off of Fort DeRussy, Territory of Hawaii. Then in 1948 the field was acquired by the United States military and renamed as Williams Air Base in January 1948. It was a flight training field during World War II.

In 1948 Williams became the first jet training base, and in 1966 it was the first site of the Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) program.[6]

The 1991 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended closing the base as its operating costs were too high; the base closed in 1993.

As the base was being shut down, it was decided that, with the growing traffic at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, an alternative airport would be needed. The runway was expanded to accommodate airliners and the facility opened in 1994 as Williams Gateway Airport. Bids began for some airlines to begin flights almost immediately.

In 2004 charter airline Ryan International Airlines began MD-82 flights to Bullhead City International Airport in Bullhead City, Arizona, next to Laughlin, Nevada and many resorts.

In recent years, the airport has again become a center of flight training. Several large flight schools now take advantage of the flying weather in the Phoenix valley.

On July 31, 2007 the low-cost Las Vegas-based carrier Allegiant Air announced plans to open a focus city at Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport, connecting the Phoenix area to 13 cities. Service commenced on October 25, 2007, with cities being added until November 21, 2007.[4]

In a press release on September 17, 2007, the Williams Gateway Airport Authority governing board approved a name change for Williams Gateway Airport effective October 15, 2007 to Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport.

On June 16, 2015, after Elite Airways announced non-stop flights from San Diego and Salt Lake City to Phoenix–Mesa, Allegiant threatened to leave the airport.[7] This is primarily due to the incentives the airport is offering to Elite.[8] If Allegiant were to leave, it would consider relocating to the nearby Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.[9][10]

On January 21, 2017, Phoenix-Mesa welcomed its first international flight and first two international destinations, as Westjet inaugurated its seasonal service to Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta.[11] Westjet has already seen success at Phoenix Sky Harbor for years, with Calgary and Edmonton being the 1st and 6th most popular international destinations at Sky Harbor, respectively.[12]

Board of directors

In 1994, the Willams Gateway Airport Authority was established with a three-member board with representation from the three cities immediately adjacent to Williams Field. The original governing board consisted of the mayors of the towns of Gilbert and Queen Creek and the city of Mesa, who continue as members today.

In later years, the Gila River Indian Community and the city of Phoenix joined the Williams Gateway Airport Authority board (now Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport Authority). Gila River Indian Community joined in 1995 and the City of Phoenix joined in 2006. The city of Apache Junction joined in 2013.

Now that the change of the Williams Gateway Airport name to Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport has occurred, the board approved resolution and ordinance does not change, diminish, give away, negate, nor reduce any of the board of directors and their respective city, town, or tribal government member voting authority and respective ownership. Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport continues to be owned and operated by the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport Authority.

A six-member airport Board of Directors is composed of elected officials from neighboring cities and a tribal government. Authority communities are:

Facilities

The airport covers 3,020 acres (1,220 ha) and has three paved runways:[1]

  • Runway 12C/30C: 10,201 ft × 150 ft (3,109 m × 46 m) Asphalt/Concrete
  • Runway 12L/30R: 9,300 ft × 150 ft (2,835 m × 46 m) Concrete
  • Runway 12R/30L: 10,401 ft × 150 ft (3,170 m × 46 m) Concrete

In 2014 the airport had 228,368 aircraft operations, an average of 626 per day: 83% general aviation, 10% air taxi, 5% airline and 2% military. In August 2017, there were 111 aircraft based at this airport: 71 single-engine, 18 multi-engine and 22 jet.[1]

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

An Allegiant Air McDonnell Douglas MD-83 on the apron.
An Allegiant Air aircraft in the special Blue Man Group livery.
AirlinesDestinations
Allegiant Air Appleton, Belleville/St. Louis, Bellingham, Billings, Bismarck, Boise, Bozeman, Cedar Rapids, Chicago/Rockford, Cincinnati, Des Moines, Eugene, Fargo, Fort Wayne, Grand Forks, Grand Island, Grand Rapids, Great Falls, Idaho Falls, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Minot, Missoula, Moline/Quad Cities, Oakland, Ogden, Pasco, Peoria, Omaha, Provo, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, South Bend, Springfield/Branson, St. Cloud, St. George (begins November 9, 2018), Stockton, Wichita
Seasonal: Cleveland, Medford, Memphis, Milwaukee, St. Petersburg/Clearwater
California Pacific Airlines Carlsbad (begins November 15, 2018) [13]
Flair Airlines Seasonal: Edmonton (begins December 15, 2018), Winnipeg (begins December 16, 2018)
Swoop Seasonal: Edmonton (begins October 27, 2018) [14]
WestJet Seasonal: Calgary

Other

  • Air Evac (Medevac airline)
  • Fighter Combat International

Training

Statistics

Top destinations

Busiest domestic routes to and from AZA
(August 2017 – July 2018)[15]
Rank City Passengers Carriers
1 Provo, Utah 52,400 Allegiant
2 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 34,470 Allegiant
3 Fargo, North Dakota 31,180 Allegiant
4 Cedar Rapids, Iowa 27,390 Allegiant
5 Bellingham, Washington 22,620 Allegiant
6 Oakland, California 22,120 Allegiant
7 Peoria, Illinois 22,040 Allegiant
8 Bismarck, North Dakota 21,640 Allegiant
9 Rapid City, South Dakota 21,490 Allegiant
10 Idaho Falls, Idaho 20,560 Allegiant

Annual traffic

Annual passenger traffic (enplaned + deplaned) at AZA, 2001 through 2016[16]
Year Passengers Year Passengers
2001000,0002011953,337
2002000,00020121,382,070
2003000,00020131,359,032
2004000,00020141,240,993
2005000,00020151,281,741
2006000,00020161,351,827
2007000,00020171,360,713
2008350,6612018000,000
2009573,4802019000,000
2010799,6742020000,000

Future plans

One of the biggest issues at IWA is the increase in passengers since Allegiant Air started operations. IWA did not anticipate this growth within the first year. Due to the increase from 14,588 enplanements in 2007 to 159,481 in 2008, facilities were becoming crowded. To alleviate this problem, extensive renovations and expansions have been completed, adding nearly 70,000 square feet (6,500 m2) of new space within the terminal. This added eight gates since IWA was established in 1994. The Airport broke ground on a final expansion plan in early 2013, to increase gates to ten. However, IWA is running out of real estate on the west side of the airfield, which will bring a halt to expansions until the east terminal facilities are complete.

East Side Terminal plans

In response to the expansion issues, PMGAA has begun planning for a new east terminal. The plan titled, Gateway 2030, was developed in June 2012.[17] The Gateway 2030 plan outlines the process, major findings, and recommendations associated with the cost feasible phasing approach to the development of approximately 700 acres (280 ha) of airport property and the supporting City infrastructure critical to ensure its success" (IWA, 2012b). The plan will be implemented in 4 phases. With the completion of phase one, IWA will be able to accommodate 1.5 million enplanements (3 million passengers). Much of phase one will address much needed access and infrastructure to access the new terminal. This includes access roads, parking, taxiways, aprons capable of Group III and IV aircraft, and the new 300,000 square feet (28,000 m2) pier concept terminal. The new terminal will have 14 gates, constructed in such a way to make room for 12 Group III aircraft and two Group IV aircraft.

Phase two has yet to be planned in detail, but will add another pier terminal to the main concourse, adding up to six gates, parking for 10,500 vehicles, and a 1,000 feet (300 m) extension of RW 12L/30R. Phase two will create the ability for IWA to handle 2.2 million enplanements. Phase three for the initial Gateway 2030 plan will add another pier terminal and second level to the main concourse and will create an additional eight gates, a new apron, more parking, and an additional taxiway.

Phase three will focus on privately owned retail, office, and hotel buildings that will be located on airport property. Phase three will allow IWA to accommodate 5 million enplanements.

Phase four will complete the 2030 plan, allowing IWA able to handle 10 million enplanements (20 million passengers) annually with a total of 60 gates and 21,000 vehicle parking spaces. Phase four will likely not be undertaken until 2030 or beyond, making cost estimates nearly impossible.

Due to the changing market, phase two, three, and four are likely to change. Gateway 2030 is estimated to cost more than $1.4 billion.

Historic landmarks

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 FAA Airport Master Record for IWA (Form 5010 PDF) effective August 17, 2017, AirportIQ 5010, GCR Inc.
  2. ↑ "Airport Authority Approves City of Apache Junction Membership". By Brian Sexton(Primary). Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport Authority. 29 July 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  3. ↑ National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems: 2007–2011, FAA, 2006-10-06
  4. 1 2 "Allegiant Air announces new base in Phoenix–Mesa", Press release, Allegiant Air, 2007-07-31, archived from the original on 2007-10-12
  5. ↑ Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport Media Guide (PDF), Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport Authority, 2011-04-01
  6. ↑ "The Southeast Valley Insider", The Arizona Republic, 2006-03-30
  7. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-06-18. Retrieved 2015-06-17.
  8. ↑ "Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport May Get Dumped By Allegiant Air". KJZZ. 16 June 2015.
  9. ↑ "Report". bizjournals.com.
  10. ↑ http://www.washingtontimes.com, The Washington Times. "Allegiant Air may depart Gateway airport for Sky Harbor".
  11. ↑ "Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport to welcome first international flight". 19 January 2017.
  12. ↑ "U.S. International Air Passenger and Freight Statistics Report". 13 August 2012.
  13. ↑ https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/california-pacific-airlines-adds-another-destination-for-november-15th-300705381.html
  14. ↑ "Swoop: New Canadian airline to offer flights from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport". Retrieved 2 August 2018.
  15. ↑ Phoenix, AZ: Phoenix – Mesa Gateway (AZA) Scheduled Services except Freight/Mail, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Research and Innovative Technology Administration, United States Department of Transportation, 2013, retrieved February 17, 2017
  16. ↑ "Airport Statistics". Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Gateway 2030: A Vision for the Northeast Area Development" (PDF), Press release, Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport, 2012-06-30, archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-14
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