Arizona's Major Airports: How Many Are There?

Arizona is a state in the United States that is home to 83 airports, including 58 public airports, 14 Native American-owned airports, and 11 private airports. Out of these 83 airports, 11 are considered major airports. In this article, we will explore the major airports in Arizona and what makes them significant. We will also discuss the other types of airports in the state and their unique features.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Arizona has 83 airports in total, including 58 public airports, 14 Native American-owned airports, and 11 private airports. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is the largest and busiest airport in Arizona, and it was the 8th busiest airport in the US in 2022. The airport is located in Maricopa County, 3 miles (4.8 km) east of downtown Phoenix.

The airport features two terminals, Terminal 3 and Terminal 4, with a total of 117 active aircraft gates. Terminal 4, named after former Arizona Senator and 1964 Presidential candidate Barry M. Goldwater, is the largest and busiest terminal with 86 gates. The airport offers nonstop service to various domestic and international destinations and handles over 48 million passengers annually. It operates around 1,000 domestic and international flights daily, with American Airlines and Southwest Airlines as major carriers.

The airport provides a seamless travel experience with various amenities, including nursing stations, pet relief areas, retail stores, lounges, and parking facilities. The Sky Train connects the terminals and provides easy access to transportation options like rental cars and taxis. The airport also has a diverse range of dining options, with over 100 restaurants available.

In addition to its civil aviation role, the airport is also home to the 161st Air Refueling Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard, based at the Goldwater Air National Guard Base.

Tucson International Airport

Arizona has 83 airports in total, including 58 public airports, 14 Native American-owned airports, and 11 private airports. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Arizona, and the 8th busiest in the US.

The airport covers 7,938 acres of land and has two asphalt runways. In the year ending December 31, 2022, the airport recorded 142,389 operations, with an average of 390 per day. There were 416 aircraft based at the airport, including single-engine, multi-engine, jet, military, and helicopter aircraft.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport

Arizona has 83 airports, including 58 public airports, 14 Native American-owned airports, and 11 private airports. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IATA: AZA, ICAO: KIWA, FAA LID: IWA) is one of the state's international airports, located in southeastern Mesa, Arizona, approximately 20 miles southeast of Phoenix, in Maricopa County. The airport is a reliever airport for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Arizona.

The airport covers 3,020 acres and has three parallel paved runways, accommodating any size of aircraft. It offers flights to approximately 50 locations across the US, including San Francisco, Oakland, Las Vegas, and Cincinnati. Allegiant Air, WestJet, and Swoop are the airlines serving the airport.

The airport features an FAA-Contract Air Traffic Control Tower and is home to SkyBridge Arizona, the first international air cargo hub with both Mexican and US customs. The airport also provides U.S. Customs and US-VISIT services for international charters.

In 2022, a new control tower was added to accommodate the increased air traffic to the airport. The airport reported 254,599 aircraft operations in the year ending December 31, 2022, averaging 697 operations per day.

Page Municipal Airport

Arizona has 83 airports, including 58 public airports, 14 Native American-owned airports, and 11 private airports. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the largest and busiest airport in Arizona and the 8th busiest in the US.

The airport covers 555 acres of land at an elevation of 4,316 feet. It has two asphalt runways: 15/33, which is 5,950 feet long, and 7/25, which is 2,201 feet long. The airport is served by three full-service FBOs: American Aviation, Classic Aviation, and Million Air. Charter services and air tours of the Grand Circle are provided by Antelope Air, Grand Canyon Airlines, Papillon Helicopters, and Westwind Aviation. The airport has scheduled passenger services subsidised by the US Federal Government's Essential Air Service program and regular sightseeing flights.

In the year ending 31 December 2022, the airport had 17,082 aircraft operations, averaging 47 per day. 53% of these were general aviation, 40% were air taxi, 7% were airline, and less than 1% were military. 70 aircraft were based at the airport at that time, including 54 single-engine, 11 multi-engine, 3 helicopters, and 2 jets. The airport is uncontrolled, meaning it has no control tower.

Native American-owned airports

Arizona has a total of 83 airports, including 14 Native American-owned airports. These 14 airports are part of the State System Plan, which includes 58 publicly owned and 11 privately owned airports.

Another example of a Native American-owned airport in Arizona is Avi Suquilla Airport, owned by the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe and located in Mohave County, Arizona. Avi Suquilla Airport is a public-use airport that caters to a variety of aircraft, from single-engine planes to small jets. The airport is known for its scenic location along the Colorado River and is a popular stop for pilots flying into Arizona.

The Grand Canyon West Airport is also Native American-owned and operated. This airport is located on the Hualapai Indian Reservation and is known for its breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon. The airport caters to both commercial and private aircraft, offering a unique gateway to one of the world's most famous natural wonders.

These airports showcase the important role that Native American communities play in Arizona's aviation industry and reflect the diverse cultural heritage of the state. They provide essential transportation links and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Arizona's aviation network.

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