Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport
Encyclopedia
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport , formerly Williams Gateway Airport (1994–2008) and Williams Air Force Base
(1941–1993), is a commercial airport located in the southeastern area of the city of Mesa, Arizona
, and 20 miles (32.2 km) southeast of Phoenix
, in Maricopa County
, Arizona
, United States
. The airport is owned and operated by the Williams Gateway Airport Authority. It serves as a focus city for Allegiant Air
. The airport authority is governed by a five member board, composed of the mayors and tribal governor of the town of Gilbert, city of Mesa, town of Queen Creek, Gila River Indian Community and the city of Phoenix.
According to the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2007–2011, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway was designated as a reliever airport, which is a general aviation
airport that may be used to relieve congestion at a large commercial service airport. Allegiant Air
began offering scheduled commercial service from this airport in October 2007. As per Federal Aviation Administration
records, the airport had 289,770 passenger boardings (or enplanements) in the calendar year
2009, a 52.29% increase over the previous year.
Although most U.S. airports use the same three-letter location identifier
for the FAA
and IATA
, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is assigned IWA by the FAA and AZA by the IATA (which assigned IWA to Yuzhny Airport
in Ivanovo, Russia). The airport's former IATA code was CHD.
military as Williams Air Base
. It served as a flight training field during World War II
for military pilots. Military forces established a pilot school there, and many war airplanes that are now considered to be classics were seen there on a daily basis.
In 1948, Williams became the first jet training base, and in 1966 it was the first site of the Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) program.
The 1991 Base Realignment and Closure
(BRAC) Commission recommended closing the base as its operating costs were too costly for the United States government; the base continued operating until 1993.
As the base was being shut down, it was decided that, with the growing traffic at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix
, an alternative airport would be needed in the area. The runway was expanded to accommodate jet
s, and the facility reopened in 1994 as Williams Gateway Airport. Bids began to be made for some airlines to begin flights almost immediately.
In 2004, charter airline Ryan International Airlines
began offering MD-82 jet flights from there to Bullhead City International Airport
in Bullhead City, Arizona
, which is adjacent to Laughlin, Nevada
, and many resorts.
In recent years, the airport has again become a center of flight training. Several large flight schools now take advantage of the great flying weather in the Phoenix valley.
On July 31, 2007, the low-cost Las Vegas
-based carrier Allegiant Air
announced plans to open a focus city
from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, connecting the Phoenix metropolitan area to 13 destinations. First service commenced on October 25, 2007 and additional cities commencing throughout the remainder of October and complete by November 21, 2007.
In a press release on September 17, 2007, the Williams Gateway Airport Authority governing board approved a name change for Williams Gateway Airport effective October 15, 2007, after which the airport would be known as the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. The board cited a desire "to have the airport reach its highest potential in creating jobs and commercial service development" as the reason behind the change.
s:
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2006, the airport had 280,719 aircraft operations, an average of 769 per day: 93% general aviation
, 4% military, 3% air taxi
and <1% scheduled commercial. There are 111 aircraft based at this airport: 58% single-engine, 8% multi-engine, 19% jet and 15% helicopter
.
In later years, the Gila River Indian Community and the city of Phoenix joined the Williams Gateway Airport Authority board (now Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport Authority). Gila River Indian Community joined in 1995 and the City of Phoenix joined in 2006.
Now that the change of the Williams Gateway Airport name to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport has occurred, the board approved resolution and ordinance does not change, diminish, give away, negate nor reduce any of the five board of directors and their respective city, town or tribal government member voting authority and respective ownership. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport continues to be owned and operated by the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport Authority.
A five-member airport Board of Directors is composed of elected officials from neighboring cities and a tribal government. Authority communities are as of 2007:
Williams Air Force Base
Williams Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base, located in Mesa, and about southeast of Phoenix, Arizona.It was active as a training base for both the United States Army Air Forces, as well as the USAF from 1941 until its closure in 1993...
(1941–1993), is a commercial airport located in the southeastern area of the city of Mesa, Arizona
Mesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
, and 20 miles (32.2 km) southeast of Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, in Maricopa County
Maricopa County, Arizona
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*73.0% White*5.0% Black*2.1% Native American*3.5% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.5% Two or more races*12.7% Other races*29.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The airport is owned and operated by the Williams Gateway Airport Authority. It serves as a focus city for Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air is an American low-cost airline owned by Allegiant Travel Co. that operates scheduled and charter flights. Allegiant Travel Company is a publicly traded company with 1,300 employees and one billion USD market capitalization...
. The airport authority is governed by a five member board, composed of the mayors and tribal governor of the town of Gilbert, city of Mesa, town of Queen Creek, Gila River Indian Community and the city of Phoenix.
According to the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2007–2011, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway was designated as a reliever airport, which is a general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
airport that may be used to relieve congestion at a large commercial service airport. Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air is an American low-cost airline owned by Allegiant Travel Co. that operates scheduled and charter flights. Allegiant Travel Company is a publicly traded company with 1,300 employees and one billion USD market capitalization...
began offering scheduled commercial service from this airport in October 2007. As per Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
records, the airport had 289,770 passenger boardings (or enplanements) in the calendar year
Calendar year
Generally speaking, a calendar year begins on the New Year's Day of the given calendar system and ends on the day before the following New Year's Day. By convention, a calendar year consists of a natural number of days. To reconcile the calendar year with an astronomical cycle , certain years...
2009, a 52.29% increase over the previous year.
Although most U.S. airports use the same three-letter location identifier
Location identifier
A location identifier is a symbolic representation for the name and the location of an airport, navigation aid, or weather station, and is used for manned air traffic control facilities in air traffic control, telecommunications, computer programming, weather reports, and related services.-ICAO...
for the FAA
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
and IATA
International Air Transport Association
The International Air Transport Association is an international industry trade group of airlines headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, where the International Civil Aviation Organization is also headquartered. The executive offices are at the Geneva Airport in SwitzerlandIATA's mission is to...
, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is assigned IWA by the FAA and AZA by the IATA (which assigned IWA to Yuzhny Airport
Ivanovo Yuzhny Airport
Yuzhny Airport is an airport in Russia located 7 km southwest of Ivanovo. It is a civilian facility that handles medium-sized airliners. It is not to be confused with the Ivanovo Severny airlift base.- External links :*...
in Ivanovo, Russia). The airport's former IATA code was CHD.
History
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport was built in 1941 and inaugurated in 1942 by the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
military as Williams Air Base
Williams Air Force Base
Williams Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force base, located in Mesa, and about southeast of Phoenix, Arizona.It was active as a training base for both the United States Army Air Forces, as well as the USAF from 1941 until its closure in 1993...
. It served as a flight training field during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
for military pilots. Military forces established a pilot school there, and many war airplanes that are now considered to be classics were seen there on a daily basis.
In 1948, Williams became the first jet training base, and in 1966 it was the first site of the Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) program.
The 1991 Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory to reduce...
(BRAC) Commission recommended closing the base as its operating costs were too costly for the United States government; the base continued operating until 1993.
As the base was being shut down, it was decided that, with the growing traffic at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, an alternative airport would be needed in the area. The runway was expanded to accommodate jet
Jet aircraft
A jet aircraft is an aircraft propelled by jet engines. Jet aircraft generally fly much faster than propeller-powered aircraft and at higher altitudes – as high as . At these altitudes, jet engines achieve maximum efficiency over long distances. The engines in propeller-powered aircraft...
s, and the facility reopened in 1994 as Williams Gateway Airport. Bids began to be made for some airlines to begin flights almost immediately.
In 2004, charter airline Ryan International Airlines
Ryan International Airlines
Ryan International Airlines, Inc. is an American FAR 121 airline with domestic, flag, and supplemental authority.Based in Rockford, Illinois, the US Postal Service was once the airline's main customer, flying Boeing 727 aircraft on scheduled cargo flights...
began offering MD-82 jet flights from there to Bullhead City International Airport
Bullhead City International Airport
Laughlin/Bullhead International Airport , also known as Bullhead City International Airport, is a public airport located one mile north of the central business district of Bullhead City, in Mohave County, Arizona, USA. The airport is across the Colorado River and one block away from the community...
in Bullhead City, Arizona
Bullhead City, Arizona
Bullhead City is a city located on the Colorado River in Mohave County, Arizona, USA, roughly south of Las Vegas, Nevada, and directly across the Colorado River from Laughlin, Nevada, whose casinos and ancillary services supply much of the employment for Bullhead City...
, which is adjacent to Laughlin, Nevada
Laughlin, Nevada
Laughlin is a census-designated place in Clark County, Nevada, United States, and a port located on the Colorado River. Laughlin is south of Las Vegas, located in the far southern tip of Nevada. It is best known for its gaming, entertainment, and water recreation. As of the 2010 census, the...
, and many resorts.
In recent years, the airport has again become a center of flight training. Several large flight schools now take advantage of the great flying weather in the Phoenix valley.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
-based carrier Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air
Allegiant Air is an American low-cost airline owned by Allegiant Travel Co. that operates scheduled and charter flights. Allegiant Travel Company is a publicly traded company with 1,300 employees and one billion USD market capitalization...
announced plans to open a focus city
Focus city
In the airline industry, a focus city is a location that is not a hub, but from which the airline has non-stop flights to several destinations other than its hubs...
from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, connecting the Phoenix metropolitan area to 13 destinations. First service commenced on October 25, 2007 and additional cities commencing throughout the remainder of October and complete by November 21, 2007.
In a press release on September 17, 2007, the Williams Gateway Airport Authority governing board approved a name change for Williams Gateway Airport effective October 15, 2007, after which the airport would be known as the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. The board cited a desire "to have the airport reach its highest potential in creating jobs and commercial service development" as the reason behind the change.
Facilities and aircraft
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport covers an area of 3020 acres (1,222.2 ha) which contains three paved runwayRunway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
s:
- Runway 12C/30C: 10,200 x 150 ft (3,109 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt/Concrete
- Runway 12L/30R: 9,300 x 150 ft (2,835 x 46 m), Surface: Concrete
- Runway 12R/30L: 10,400 x 150 ft (3,170 x 46 m), Surface: Concrete
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2006, the airport had 280,719 aircraft operations, an average of 769 per day: 93% general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
, 4% military, 3% air taxi
Air taxi
An air taxi is an air charter passenger or cargo aircraft which operates on an on-demand basis.-Regulation:In the United States, air taxi and air charter operations are governed by Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations , unlike the larger scheduled air carriers which are governed by more...
and <1% scheduled commercial. There are 111 aircraft based at this airport: 58% single-engine, 8% multi-engine, 19% jet and 15% helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
.
The Future
The current terminal, on the West side of the runway is temporary. Ground will be broken in late 2011 to expand the current terminal by two gates, bringing the gate count to eight. Soon after, a new terminal will be built on the East side of the runway, known as the East Terminal, at a cost of $250 million.Airlines and destinations
Statistics
Please Note: Passenger totals for the domestic flights are based on a 12 month scale ending July, 2011.| Rank | City | Passengers | Carriers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Sioux Falls, SDSioux Falls Regional Airport Sioux Falls Regional Airport , also known as Joe Foss Field, is a joint civil and military use airport located three nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Sioux Falls, a city in Minnehaha County, South Dakota, United States... |
27,000 | Allegiant Air |
| 2 |  Fargo, NDHector International Airport Hector International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located three miles northwest of the central business district of Fargo, a city in Cass County, North Dakota, United States. It is owned by the City of Fargo Municipal Airport Authority.The airport was named after Martin... |
24,000 | Allegiant Air |
| 3 |  Cedar Rapids, IAThe Eastern Iowa Airport The Eastern Iowa Airport is a commercial airport in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the United States. The airport serves Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and other communities in eastern Iowa... |
23,000 | Allegiant Air |
| 4 |  Bellingham, WABellingham International Airport Bellingham International Airport is a public airport located three miles northwest of Bellingham, in Whatcom County, Washington, USA. The airport has a single runway. Due to the close proximity to British Columbia, the Bellingham International Airport functions somewhat as a reliever airport to... |
23,000 | Allegiant Air |
| 5 |  Rockford, IL |
21,000 | Allegiant Air |
| 6 |  Missoula, MTMissoula International Airport Missoula International Airport/Johnson-Bell Field is a public airport located four miles northwest of the city of Missoula in Missoula County, Montana, USA. The airport has two runways. There are currently several expansion projects planned or underway, including the construction of 150 foot... |
19,000 | Allegiant Air |
| 7 | Peoria, IL |
19,000 | Allegiant Air |
| 8 | Billings, MT Billings Logan International Airport -Top Destinations:-External links:* , official site... |
18,000 | Allegiant Air |
| 9 | Bismarck, ND Bismarck Municipal Airport -Top Destinations:... |
18,000 | Allegiant Air |
| 10 |  Witchita, KSWichita Mid-Continent Airport Wichita Mid-Continent Airport is a commercial airport located in southwest Wichita, in Sedgwick County, Kansas, USA. It is the busiest airport in the state of Kansas . In 2008, passenger traffic continued to grow despite increased fuel prices and economic troubles, with 1,615,075 passengers... |
18,000 | Allegiant Air |
Other
- Air EvacAir Evac (airline)AIR EVAC ARIZONA is a wholly owned subsidiary of Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. PHI Air Medical, is a Medevac operator that provides services across Arizona, United States, Canada, Mexico. A provider of 80 helicopters, Air Evac also uses five King Air B200 airplanes for long range stable emergencies....
(MedevacMEDEVACMedical evacuation, often termed Medevac or Medivac, is the timely and efficient movement and en route care provided by medical personnel to the wounded being evacuated from the battlefield or to injured patients being evacuated from the scene of an accident to receiving medical facilities using...
airline) - Fighter Combat International
Training
- Advanced Training Systems International, a fighter combat and maintenance training school
- Mesa Pilot Development
- Airline Transport Professionals
- University of North Dakota Aerospace
- Chandler Gilbert Community College A&P Training
Board of directors
In 1994, the Willams Gateway Airport Authority was established with a three member board with representation from the three cities immediately adjacent to Williams Field. The original governing board consisted of the mayors of the town of Gilbert, city of Mesa, and town of Queen Creek, who continue as members today.In later years, the Gila River Indian Community and the city of Phoenix joined the Williams Gateway Airport Authority board (now Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport Authority). Gila River Indian Community joined in 1995 and the City of Phoenix joined in 2006.
Now that the change of the Williams Gateway Airport name to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport has occurred, the board approved resolution and ordinance does not change, diminish, give away, negate nor reduce any of the five board of directors and their respective city, town or tribal government member voting authority and respective ownership. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport continues to be owned and operated by the Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport Authority.
A five-member airport Board of Directors is composed of elected officials from neighboring cities and a tribal government. Authority communities are as of 2007:
- GilbertGilbert, Arizona-Demographics:As of July 1, 2009, Maricopa Association of Governments, Census 2000. United States Census Bureau. there were 217,521 people, 74,147 housing units, and 3.01 persons per household....
- Gila River Indian CommunityGila River Indian CommunityThe Gila River Indian Community is an Indian reservation in the U.S. state of Arizona, lying adjacent to the south side of the city of Phoenix, within the Phoenix Metropolitan Area in Pinal and Maricopa Counties. It was established in 1859, and formally established by Congress in 1939...
- MesaMesa, ArizonaAccording to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
- Queen CreekQueen Creek, ArizonaQueen Creek is a town in Maricopa and Pinal counties in the U.S. state of Arizona. The population was 26,361 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Queen Creek is located at ....
- PhoenixPhoenix, ArizonaPhoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
External links
- Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, official web site
- Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA) at Arizona DOT airport directory
- Williams Air Force Base at GlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.org, launched in 2000, is a public policy organization focusing on the fields of defense, space exploration, intelligence, weapons of mass destruction and homeland security...