Airports In Arizona: A Comprehensive Guide

Arizona is home to 49 airports, including 11 major airports. The state's major airports include Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Tucson International Airport, and Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. In addition to these, there are several smaller, local airports scattered across Arizona, such as H.A. Clark Memorial Field, Glendale Municipal Airport, and Bisbee Municipal Airport. This text will explore the different airports located in Arizona, delving into their varying sizes, locations, and designations.

Major airports in Arizona

Arizona is home to 49 airports, 11 of which are considered major airports. The following is a list of the major airports in Arizona:

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is Arizona's busiest airport, serving over 46 million passengers in 2021. It is located in Phoenix, Arizona, and is a focus city for Southwest Airlines. The airport has three runways and serves domestic and international destinations.

Tucson International Airport

Tucson International Airport is located in Tucson, Arizona, and is the second-largest airport in the state. It serves domestic destinations and a few international locations in Mexico. The airport is a base for several airlines, including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport

The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is located in Mesa, Arizona, and primarily serves the Phoenix metropolitan area. It is a focus city for Allegiant Air, which operates flights to various destinations across the United States. The airport also serves as a base for several cargo and charter airlines.

Page Municipal Airport

Page Municipal Airport is a small airport located in Page, Arizona, serving the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and the surrounding areas. It is primarily used for general aviation but also offers commercial flights to Phoenix and Las Vegas.

Show Low Regional Airport

Show Low Regional Airport serves the city of Show Low and the White Mountains region of Arizona. It is a small airport with one runway and is primarily used for general aviation and charter flights. However, it also offers limited commercial service to Phoenix and other nearby cities.

Yuma International Airport

Yuma International Airport is a joint-use military and civilian airport located in Yuma, Arizona. It is used by the United States Marine Corps and also serves general aviation and commercial flights. The airport offers daily flights to Phoenix and Los Angeles.

In addition to these major airports, Arizona is home to many other smaller airports, including local airports such as Glendale Municipal Airport and Bisbee Municipal Airport, as well as private and military airfields.

Local airports in Arizona

Arizona has 49 airports, 11 of which are considered major airports. The remaining airports are smaller, local airports.

The local airports in Arizona include H.A. Clark Memorial Field, which is a public-use airport. It is located in the town of Cottonwood and is owned by the city of Clarkdale. The airport has one asphalt runway and is used for general aviation.

Glendale Municipal Airport is a reliever airport, which means it helps to reduce congestion at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It is located 13 miles northwest of downtown Phoenix and is often used by charter and private aircraft.

Bisbee Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport located in the city of Bisbee. It has one asphalt runway and is situated at an elevation of 5,519 feet.

Greenlee County Airport is a public-use airport located in the town of Clifton. It is owned by Greenlee County and has one asphalt runway. The airport is situated at an elevation of 3,708 feet and is used for general aviation.

Casa Grande Municipal Airport is a public-use airport located in Pinal County. It is owned by the city of Casa Grande and has two asphalt runways. The airport is situated at an elevation of 1,459 feet and is used for general aviation.

Chandler Municipal Airport is a reliever airport located 3 miles southwest of downtown Chandler. It is a general aviation airport with three asphalt runways and is used by both private and corporate aircraft.

Commercial service – primary airports

Arizona has 49 airports in total, with 9 of them being classified as "Commercial service – primary airports". These are publicly owned airports that have scheduled passenger service and more than 10,000 passenger boardings (enplanements) annually. Each primary airport is further classified by the FAA into four "hub" types: Large hub, Medium hub, Small hub, and Nonhub.

The following airports are included in this classification:

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport

Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is located in the city of Flagstaff, Arizona. It is a small airport that offers daily flights to and from Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth, as well as seasonal flights to Denver. It is served by major airlines such as American Airlines, United Airlines, and Boutique Air.

Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport (formerly Williams AFB)

Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport is a busy airport located in the Phoenix metropolitan area. It serves as a base for several low-cost carriers, including Allegiant Air and Spirit Airlines. The airport offers a range of domestic and international destinations, with popular routes including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Mexico.

Page Municipal Airport

Page Municipal Airport is a small airport located in Page, Arizona. It offers daily flights to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, providing convenient connections to the state's capital and beyond. Page Municipal Airport is known for its stunning views of the nearby Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is Arizona's largest and busiest airport, serving as a major hub for American Airlines. It offers an extensive network of domestic and international flights, connecting Phoenix to destinations across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. The airport is conveniently located just a few miles from downtown Phoenix and is easily accessible via light rail and bus services.

Prescott Municipal Airport (Ernest A. Love Field)

Prescott Municipal Airport, officially known as Ernest A. Love Field, serves the city of Prescott, Arizona. It is a small airport with daily flights to and from Denver, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Prescott Municipal Airport is known for its scenic approach, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and high desert terrain.

Tucson International Airport

Tucson International Airport is the primary airport serving Tucson, Arizona, and the surrounding region. It offers a range of domestic and international flights, with major airlines such as Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines providing regular services. Tucson International Airport is conveniently located just south of the city and is easily accessible via Interstate 10.

Yuma International Airport / MCAS Yuma

Yuma International Airport, also known as Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, serves the city of Yuma and the nearby military base. It offers a mix of commercial and military aviation services, with daily flights to and from Phoenix and Los Angeles. Yuma International Airport is an important gateway to the Yuma area, which is known for its sunny weather and outdoor recreational activities.

Commercial service – non-primary airports

Arizona has 49 airports in total, 11 of which are considered major airports. The remaining airports are smaller, local airports, some of which are still considered commercial service airports. These non-primary airports include:

Show Low Regional Airport

Show Low Regional Airport is a local airport in Arizona. While it is not one of the major airports, it still offers commercial services to the public.

Chandler Municipal Airport

As a local airport, Chandler Municipal Airport serves the area of Chandler, Arizona. It is a commercial service airport with scheduled passenger service.

Glendale Municipal Airport

Glendale Municipal Airport is a non-primary airport located in Glendale, Arizona. It offers commercial services and is open to the public.

Phoenix Goodyear Airport

Phoenix Goodyear Airport is a local airport located in Goodyear, Arizona. It is a commercial service airport, providing scheduled passenger service to the public.

Marana Regional Airport

Marana Regional Airport is located in Marana, Arizona, near Tucson. It is a non-primary, commercial service airport with scheduled passenger flights.

Phoenix Deer Valley Airport

Phoenix Deer Valley Airport is a local airport in Phoenix, Arizona. It offers commercial services and is open to the public.

Military airports

Arizona has a number of military airports within the state. These airports are used by the Department of Defense for various purposes, including training and transportation of personnel and equipment. Here is a detailed overview of some of the notable military airports in Arizona:

Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

Located in Pima County, the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base is a large and well-known military airport in Arizona. The airport has a unique role in aircraft storage and preservation, serving as a storage facility for excess military aircraft. It is also home to several active military units, including the 355th Fighter Wing of the United States Air Force.

Luke Air Force Base

Luke Air Force Base is situated in Maricopa County, about 15 miles west of Phoenix. It is a significant training base for the US Air Force, specialising in fighter pilot training. The base is equipped with advanced flight simulators and a fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcons and F-35A Lightning II aircraft for training purposes.

Yuma Marine Corps Air Station and Laguna Army Airfield

The Yuma Proving Ground is home to both the Yuma Marine Corps Air Station and the Laguna Army Airfield. These airports are located in Yuma County and play a crucial role in supporting military operations in the region. The Laguna Army Airfield, in particular, is known for its extensive testing and evaluation capabilities for military aircraft and systems.

Libby Army Airfield

Libby Army Airfield is a military airport located in Cochise County, Arizona. It is situated within Fort Huachuca, a US Army installation with a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1877. Fort Huachuca is known for its focus on intelligence and security-related missions, and the airfield supports these operations with its aviation capabilities.

Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field

The Gila Bend Air Force Auxiliary Field serves as an auxiliary airfield for the US Air Force. It is located near the town of Gila Bend and is used for training purposes, particularly for specific military aircraft manoeuvres. The airfield may or may not have a paved runway, depending on the requirements of the training exercises.

Papago Army Heliport

Papago Army Heliport is another important military aviation facility in Arizona. Heliports are designed specifically for the take-off and landing of helicopters, and they play a crucial role in supporting various military operations and missions. The exact location of the Papago Army Heliport is not publicly disclosed for security reasons.

These military airports in Arizona contribute to the state's strategic importance in terms of defence and security. They serve as hubs for training, logistics, and operational support for the US Armed Forces, ensuring their readiness and capability to respond to a range of situations.

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