Roberta Aguirre
Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA/AZA) is a medium-to-large multi-use airport located in Mesa, Arizona, approximately 20 miles southeast of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The airport was built in 1941 as Higley Field and has since been renamed twice, first to Williams Field in 1942 and then to its current name. Mesa Gateway Airport is a reliever airport, used to reduce congestion at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Mesa, Arizona |
| Address | 6033 S Sossaman Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212 |
| Airport Code (FAA) | IWA |
| Airport Code (IATA) | AZA |
| Distance from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport | 28 miles |
| Time to reach Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport | 35 minutes |
| Year of Construction | 1941 |
| Former Names | Higley Field, Williams Field, Williams Air Force Base |
| Number of Passenger Boardings in 2019 | 1,772,678 |
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What You'll Learn
Mesa Gateway Airport's FAA and IATA codes
Mesa Gateway Airport, located in Mesa, Arizona, has different codes for the FAA and IATA. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) code for Mesa Gateway Airport is IWA. This code is used by the aviation community, including air traffic controllers and pilots. The FAA designates Mesa Gateway as a reliever airport, serving as a general aviation airport to relieve congestion at larger airports. The airport caters to a diverse mix of aircraft, including air carriers, business and general aviation, transient military aircraft, and extensive flight training operations.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) code for Mesa Gateway Airport is AZA. This code is typically used by commercial passenger flight organizations. Mesa Gateway Airport, with its IATA code of AZA, has seen scheduled services from airlines such as Allegiant Air and WestJet, offering flights to various domestic and international destinations.
The airport, previously known as Williams Gateway Airport, was built in 1941 as Higley Field and later renamed Williams Field in 1942 to honour First Lieutenant Charles Linton Williams. The airport has a rich history, with the adjacent Williams Air Force Base being listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Mesa Gateway Airport is conveniently located approximately 20 miles southeast of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). It offers multiple transportation options, including taxi, limousine, ride-share, shuttle services, and car rental agencies. The airport terminal is easily accessible via Sossaman Road, which connects to Arizona State Route Loop 202.
In summary, the FAA code IWA and the IATA code AZA are used for Mesa Gateway Airport, reflecting its dual role in serving both the aviation community and commercial passenger flights. The airport is a significant hub for flight training and provides access to Mesa, Arizona, and beyond.
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The airport's location and transport links
Mesa Gateway Airport is located in Mesa, Arizona, and its FAA location code is IWA, while its IATA code is AZA. The airport is approximately 20 miles southeast of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Mesa is a convenient 35-minute drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which is 28 miles away.
By road, the airport terminal is served by Sossaman Road, which can be accessed by exiting at either Hawes or Power Road, fed by the Arizona State Route Loop 202. Travellers can then turn onto Ray Road to reach the airport. There are multiple parking options available, including hourly and daily parking lots within walking distance of the terminal. An economy lot south of the airfield is served by a complimentary shuttle to the main terminal.
The airport is also accessible by public transport, with the Valley Metro bus route 184 stopping at the terminal before heading north to Mesa. Additionally, travellers can utilise taxi, limousine, ride-share, and shuttle services to and from the airport.
Mesa Gateway Airport is a medium to large multi-use airport that serves air carriers, business and general aviation, and transient military aircraft. It is also home to extensive flight training operations, accommodating a diverse mix of aircraft capabilities, pilot experience levels, and skill levels. The airport's airspace is Class D with a 3900' MSL ceiling, underlying the Phoenix Class B airspace.
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History of the airport
Mesa Gateway Airport (IATA: AZA, ICAO: KIWA, FAA LID: IWA), also known as Phoenix–Mesa Airport, is an international airport located in southeastern Mesa, Arizona, approximately 20 miles southeast of Phoenix, in Maricopa County. The airport is a medium to large multi-use airport, serving air carriers, business and general aviation, and transient military aircraft.
The airport was built in 1941 as Higley Field and was renamed Williams Field on February 24, 1942, in honour of Arizona native First Lieutenant Charles Linton Williams, who served with the 19th Pursuit Squadron at Wheeler Field, Oahu. The base flagpole, constructed in December 1941, is symbolic of the origins of the airport. The water tower, built in the winter of 1941–1942, was part of the historical Williams Air Force Base, on which the airport is now located.
In 1993, as the Williams Air Force Base was being shut down, there was a growing need for an alternative airport to Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix due to increasing traffic. The runway was expanded to accommodate larger aircraft, and in 1994, the facility opened as Williams Gateway Airport. In 2004, the airport became a flight training centre, taking advantage of the area's clear weather. On July 31, 2007, Allegiant Air announced plans to establish a base at Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport, with services commencing on October 25, 2007.
The airport has since welcomed other airlines, including WestJet and Swoop, which began seasonal flights to Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg in 2017. Mesa Gateway Airport reported 1,772,678 passenger boardings in 2019, serving as a reliever airport for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
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Airlines that use the airport
Mesa Gateway Airport, also known as Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, is located in southeast Mesa, Arizona, and is a rapidly growing regional airport with a capacity of nearly 2 million passengers annually. The airport is a medium to large multi-use airport, serving air carriers, business and
The airport's FAA code is IWA, while the IATA code used by commercial passenger-flight organisations is AZA.
Allegiant Air, an American low-cost airline, was the first airline to begin scheduled services from Mesa Gateway Airport in October 2007, and continues to offer passenger services to and from the airport. Allegiant offers an unbundled pricing structure, allowing passengers to tailor their travel experience by adding additional services for an extra cost.
Sun Country Airlines is another airline that operates out of Mesa Gateway Airport. Sun Country offers both scheduled flights and charter services for private groups and organisations.
In addition to these two major commercial airlines, Mesa Gateway Airport also accommodates other flight operations for general aviation, corporate, private, military, and cargo transport.
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The airport's facilities
Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA) is a medium to large multi-use airport, located 20 miles southeast of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The airport serves air carriers, business and general aviation, and transient military aircraft. It is also home to extensive flight training operations, with a diverse mix of aircraft capabilities, pilot experience and skill levels. The airspace at IWA is Class D with a 3900’ MSL ceiling.
The airport terminal is served by Sossaman Road, which can be accessed by exiting at Hawes or Power Road, fed by the Arizona State Route Loop 202. There are several taxi, limousine, ride-share and shuttle companies operating from the airport, as well as multiple car rental agencies inside the arrivals lobby. The Valley Metro bus route 184 also stops at the terminal building. The airport offers both hourly and daily parking lots within walking distance of the terminal, as well as an economy lot served by a complimentary shuttle.
Mesa Gateway Airport has a dynamic environment due to its fleet mix, and pilots should listen for runway changes and use their full call-sign or the correct form of their abbreviated call-sign. There are also multiple construction projects at IWA, and pilots should be aware of the risk of turning in the wrong direction during intersection takeoffs. The airport experiences monsoon season from June 15 to September 30, during which rapidly changing conditions may include severe dust storms.
In 2022, a new control tower was added to Mesa Gateway Airport to help manage increased air traffic. The airport has also attracted a number of airlines, including Allegiant Air, WestJet, Swoop, Flair Airlines, Avelo Airlines, and Elite Airways. In 2022, Virgin Galactic signed a long-term lease for a new final assembly manufacturing facility for its next-generation Delta-class spaceships, which will bring hundreds of highly skilled aerospace engineering and manufacturing jobs to the area.
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Frequently asked questions
The aviation community generally uses the FAA code IWA for Mesa Gateway Airport.
The IATA code for Mesa Gateway Airport is AZA.
The address of Mesa Gateway Airport is 6033 S Sossaman Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212.
Mesa Gateway Airport is located approximately 20 miles southeast of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which is about a 35-minute drive.
