Mesa's Gateway Airport: A Convenient Phoenix Aviation Hub

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IATA: AZA, ICAO: KIWA, FAA LID: IWA) is located in southeastern Mesa, Arizona, approximately 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Phoenix, in Maricopa County. The airport is owned and operated by the Mesa Gateway Airport Authority and serves as a reliever airport for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It offers flights to various destinations across the United States and welcomed its first international flight in January 2017. The airport covers 3,020 acres and has three parallel paved runways, accommodating both general aviation and commercial flights.

The airport is located in southeastern Mesa, Arizona

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IATA: AZA, ICAO: KIWA, FAA LID: IWA) is located in southeastern Mesa, Arizona, approximately 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Phoenix, in Maricopa County. The airport is owned and operated by the Mesa Gateway Airport Authority and serves as a reliever airport for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

The airport is situated at 6033 S Sossaman Rd, Mesa, Arizona, 85212, United States. It can be accessed via Sossaman Road by exiting at either Hawes or Power Road, which connect to the Arizona State Route Loop 202. From there, travellers can turn onto Ray Road to reach the airport terminal.

The airport covers 3,020 acres (1,220 hectares) and features three parallel paved runways. The runways range in length from 9,300 feet to 10,401 feet, accommodating various aircraft types.

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport has a diverse range of airlines and destinations. It offers flights to numerous cities across the United States, including Appleton, Bellingham, Billings, and Bismarck. The airport also welcomes international flights, with destinations such as Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta, served by WestJet.

In addition to its commercial operations, the airport is also a base for Allegiant Air and provides services for general aviation, air taxi, and military flights. The airport reported 254,599 aircraft operations in the year ending December 31, 2022, with an average of 697 operations per day.

It is also known as Mesa Gateway Airport

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is also known as Mesa Gateway Airport. The airport is located in southeastern Mesa, Arizona, approximately 20 miles southeast of Phoenix, in Maricopa County. The airport was renamed from Williams Gateway Airport to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in 2008 because the original name did not indicate its location.

The airport was built in 1941 as Higley Field and has since undergone several name changes. It was renamed Williams Field in 1942 in honour of Arizona native First Lieutenant Charles Linton Williams, who served in the 19th Pursuit Squadron and died in a plane crash in 1927. In 1948, the field was acquired by the US military and renamed Williams Air Base, serving as a flight training base during World War II.

In 1994, the base was closed, and the facility reopened as Williams Gateway Airport to accommodate growing air traffic in the region. In 2008, the airport's name was changed again to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport to clarify its location for travellers. However, in 2024, following Phoenix's withdrawal from the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority, the airport's name was officially changed back to Mesa Gateway Airport.

This change was made to reflect the growth and economic vitality of the East Valley region and to raise the profile of Mesa's tourism sector. The airport continues to honour Williams' legacy by retaining his name for the terminal. The name change also aligns with the airport's goal to serve as a vital transportation hub for the region's residents and as a secondary air travel hub for the metro area.

The airport is 20 miles southeast of Phoenix

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IATA: AZA, ICAO: KIWA, FAA LID: IWA) is located 20 miles southeast of Phoenix, in the city of Mesa, Arizona. Mesa is in Maricopa County, and the airport is owned and operated by the Mesa Gateway Airport Authority.

The airport is a reliever airport for the larger Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, and is used by Allegiant Air as a base. The FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2007-2011 designated Mesa Gateway as a reliever airport, a general aviation airport that serves to relieve congestion at larger airline airports.

The airport was constructed in 1941 as Higley Field, and was renamed Williams Field in 1942, in honour of First Lieutenant Charles Linton Williams, an Arizona native who was killed while serving with the 19th Pursuit Squadron. The base was acquired by the US military in 1948 and renamed Williams Air Base, and it became a flight-training field during World War II.

In 1993, the base was closed, but due to growing traffic at Sky Harbor International Airport, the runway was expanded and the facility reopened in 1994 as Williams Gateway Airport. The airport has since undergone several expansions and renovations to accommodate increased traffic, and as of 2022, a new control tower has been added.

It is a reliever airport for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is a reliever airport for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It is located in southeastern Mesa, Arizona, approximately 20 miles (32 km) southeast of Phoenix, in Maricopa County. The airport is owned and operated by the Mesa Gateway Airport Authority.

As a reliever airport, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport serves to relieve congestion at the larger Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. The airport is a base for Allegiant Air, which began scheduled service from Mesa in October 2007. In 2019, the airport reported 1,772,678 passenger boardings.

The airport offers convenient access to the Loop 202 Santan and US 60 freeways, providing easy connections to the Greater Phoenix area. With over 40 nonstop destinations, the airport continues to expand its services and amenities.

The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport terminal is located at 6033 S Sossaman Rd, Mesa, AZ 85212. The airport covers 3,020 acres (1,220 ha) and has three parallel paved runways. In 2022, the airport handled 254,599 aircraft operations, with 80% general aviation, 14% air taxi, 5% airline, and 2% military.

The airport is owned and operated by the Mesa Gateway Airport Authority

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IATA: AZA, ICAO: KIWA, FAA LID: IWA) is an international airport in southeastern Mesa, Arizona, located approximately 20 miles southeast of Phoenix, in Maricopa County. The airport is owned and operated by the Mesa Gateway Airport Authority.

The Mesa Gateway Airport Authority was established in 1994 with a three-member board representing the three cities immediately adjacent to the airport, then known as Williams Field. The original governing board consisted of the mayors of Gilbert, Queen Creek, and Mesa. As the airport grew, the Gila River Indian Community joined the board in 1995, followed by Phoenix and Apache Junction in 2006 and 2013, respectively.

The Authority has been responsible for the airport's development and success over the years. In 2022, a new control tower was added to accommodate increased air traffic. The airport covers 3,020 acres and has three parallel paved runways. It serves as a reliever airport for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, providing an alternative option for air traffic in the region.

In June 2024, the City of Phoenix concluded its membership with the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority, citing the need to focus on investments in its own airport system. Despite this change, the airport continues to operate and serve the growing metropolitan area.

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