Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway is a new name for an airport with rich history. Until recently, the airport was known as Williams Gateway, a former Air Force base that closed in 1993. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway's governing board voted for the new name change in September 2007 after discussions for potential passenger service with several airlines. With three runways, Mesa looks to this airport to become an important regional travel center and a major passenger reliever to Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.
With its surrounding business corridor, Mesa sees Phoenix-Mesa Gateway to be the hub of the city's future economic growth. Allegiant Air passenger service from Phonenix-Mesa Gateway began in October of 2007. Allegiant's service to 13 destinations is expected to bring more than 400,000 visitors to Mesa during a five year period. More than 5,000 people already work at 35 aviation companies in the airport's business corridor. That number will grow as Embraer Executive Jets and Cessna Aircraft Company open new service centers at the airport by early 2009.