Sachin Walls
Arizona, a state in the US, has a diverse network of airports, including 8 commercial airports and 8 reliever airports. The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, located in Maricopa County, is the largest and busiest airport in Arizona and the 8th busiest in the US. The airport handles over 48 million passengers annually and operates around 1,000 domestic and international flights daily. Arizona also has over 40 general aviation airports for public use, as well as military and government airports.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of airports in Arizona | 303 |
| Types of airports | Commercial, general aviation, military or government, and private |
| Number of commercial airports | 8 |
| Number of reliever airports | 8 |
| Number of general aviation airports | 40+ |
| Major airports | Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Tucson International Airport, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport |
| Busiest airport | Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport |
| Number of passengers handled by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport | 48 million+ |
| Number of flights handled by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport | 1,000 |
| Number of nonstop destinations from Tucson International Airport | 24 |
| Number of passengers handled by Tucson International Airport | 3 million+ |
| Airlines with the biggest market share in Tucson International Airport | Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and SkyWest |
| Top destinations from Tucson International Airport | Dallas, LA, and Denver |
| Transport options from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport | Public Valley Metro bus routes, airport shuttles, and taxis |
| Transport options from Tucson International Airport | Sun Tran public system, airport shuttles, taxis, and rental cars |
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What You'll Learn
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
The airport covers 3,400 acres (14 km2) of land and is elevated at 1,135 ft (346 m). It has three parallel concrete runways, all of which can accommodate aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 900,000 lb (410,000 kg) or more. The longest of these runways measures 11,489 ft (3,502 m) in length. The airport has 4 terminals in total, with Terminal 4 being the largest and containing 92 gates. Terminal 3 is used by Alaska Airlines and contains 25 gates. Terminal 4 is used by international carriers, American and Southwest Airlines.
The airport has a private airplane area that serves as a service centre for the Medevac airline Air Evac. It also houses the Phoenix TRACON and a 326-foot-tall (99 m) air traffic control tower, which began operations in 2007. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport also features the Phoenix Airport Museum, which showcases artwork and local aviation memorabilia within the terminal.
The airport has received recognition for its convenience and amenities. In 2019, The Wall Street Journal ranked it as the best airport among the 20 largest airports in the US, excelling in categories such as short screening waits, fast Wi-Fi, and good restaurant options. It received the same honour again in 2023, demonstrating its consistent high quality.
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Tucson International Airport
The airport has a long history, dating back to 1919 when Tucson opened the first municipally-owned airport in the United States. In 1961, the airport began offering international service with flights to Hermosillo, Mexico, operated by Aeronaves de Mexico. A new terminal designed by Terry Atkinson opened in 1963, further solidifying the airport's international status.
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Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport
The history of the airport dates back to 1994 when it was established as Williams Gateway Airport. In 2007, the governing board approved a name change to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. The airport has seen several airlines operate through its facilities, including Ryan International Airlines, which began offering flights to Bullhead City International Airport in 2004. Allegiant Air, which has been using the airport as its base since October 2007, provides connections to 13 cities.
In 2015, Phoenix-Mesa faced competition from Elite Airways, which announced non-stop flights from San Diego and Salt Lake City. This prompted Allegiant to consider relocating to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. However, Phoenix-Mesa welcomed its first international flight in 2017, with WestJet inaugurating seasonal service to Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta. The airport has also seen the addition of Avelo Airlines in 2021, although the service was short-lived.
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Arizona's smaller airports
Arizona has a large number of airports, both public and private. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is Arizona's largest and busiest airport, and the 8th busiest in the US. It is a civil-military international airport located in Maricopa County, 8km from downtown Phoenix. It offers nonstop service to various domestic and international destinations, serving as a major hub for travellers throughout the region. The airport handles over 48 million passengers annually and operates around 1,000 domestic and international flights daily. It is also one of the largest hubs for American Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
Tucson International Airport is the second busiest airport in Arizona, located 13km south of downtown Tucson in Southern Arizona. It offers nonstop service to over 20 destinations in the US and Canada, with major airlines such as American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Skywest Airlines. The airport welcomes over 3 million passengers annually and features a well-equipped terminal building with three concourses. Popular nonstop flights include Dallas, Denver, and Los Angeles. Tucson International Airport offers a variety of amenities, including business and conference facilities, duty-free shops, banking services, and restaurants.
Other notable airports in Arizona include Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, also known as Williams Gateway Airport or Williams Air Force Base, which serves to relieve traffic from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Allegiant Air handles most departures and arrivals at this airport. Additionally, Arizona has eight reliever airports and over 40 general aviation airports for public use.
Some of Arizona's smaller airports include The Ranch Airport and Grand Canyon National Park Airport, which is located 11km from the Grand Canyon. These smaller airports generally offer domestic or regional flights and can be windy and bumpy, especially in the northern parts of the state.
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Arizona's private airports
Arizona has 303 airports, a mix of public and private airports. Private airports in Arizona include the old and now closed Chinle Airport, which has been replaced by the newer Chinle Municipal airport. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a private airport that is constantly being updated. It is a popular stopover for passengers changing airlines, but this can cause extensive delays due to security procedures. The Ranch Airport is another private airport in Arizona, which is known to be a scary airport to land at due to its unpredictable wind currents. Flagstaff is also a private airport in Arizona, known for its bumpy and cross-windy conditions.
Arizona's airfields, especially those in the northern parts, are often subject to windy, gusty, and bumpy conditions. This is a common characteristic of flying in Arizona, and pilots need to be prepared for these challenges. One example is the "SS Sedona", an airfield located on a small mesa, which can be intimidating due to the turbulence and downdrafts at the ends of the runway.
Pegasus Airpark is another private airport in Arizona, known for its active aviation community and friendly atmosphere. It offers a unique opportunity to build a home and hangar on the runway, providing a convenient and engaging lifestyle for aviation enthusiasts.
While most of the focus is on private airports, it is worth noting that Arizona also has its fair share of public-use and military airports. These airports cater to commercial passenger boardings and play a significant role in the state's transportation system. The state's largest group of airports falls under General Aviation (GA), which includes airports with a significant number of commercial passenger boardings according to FAA records from 2022.
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Frequently asked questions
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is the largest airport in Arizona.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is also the busiest airport in Arizona.
Tucson International Airport is located in Southern Arizona, about 13 km south of Tucson downtown.
AZA airport is located closest to the Grand Canyon, about 11 km away.
Tucson International Airport is a civil-military airport.
