Our speaker today was Brian O'Neill, Executive Director & CEO of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority.
Brian said there is a lot going on at the airport. Last year, there were 275,000 takeoffs and landings. There are 2,500 on-airport employees. The airport covers 3,000 acres.
Allegiant is the main passenger carrier. It serves 46 non-stop destinations and more are being added. He mentioned Calgary, Boise, Milwaukee, Omaha, Kansas City, and Louisville. They are trying to add more carriers. There were 1.4 million passenger boardings last year. Allegiant is in the process of switching over its fleet from MD-80s to Airbus 319s that are quieter and more fuel efficient.
In terms of corporate and general aviation, they are so busy they have run out of hangar space. The Airport Authority is trying to decide whether to build more hangars themselves or turn it over to a private builder who will lease the space. There are several flight schools operating at the airport.
The Authority has reached a 49-year agreement with an LLC to expand the Gateway Aerospace Park. They will follow a master plan developed by the Airport Authority.
There are 700 acres on the east side of the airport that will feature a new passenger terminal. The environmental impact statement for construction on that site has just been approved.
The East Valley is emerging as its own market. Gilbert and Chandler are each around 265,000 in population. The Airport Authority has representatives from Gilbert, Mesa, Phoenix, Apache Junction, Queen Creek and the Indian community.