Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA): The East Valley's Commercial Aviation Alternative
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (IATA: AZA) is a full-service commercial airport located in Mesa, Arizona, serving the East Valley communities of Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, and San Tan Valley with commercial airline service that avoids the congestion of Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX). Built on the former Williams Air Force Base—a premier Air Force pilot training installation that closed in 1993—Gateway has developed into a significant commercial and general aviation facility with 10,000-foot runways capable of handling wide-body aircraft. Allegiant Air and other ultra-low-cost carriers operate from AZA, connecting East Valley residents to vacation destinations across the US without the Sky Harbor drive and parking challenge.
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is managed by the Mesa Airport Authority and operates within the FAA Western-Pacific Region's Phoenix TRACON environment. The airport's military heritage left it with exceptional infrastructure including multiple long runways, extensive ramp space, and the capacity for aircraft maintenance and storage operations that have attracted aviation businesses to the campus. The Arizona Department of Transportation Aeronautics Group recognizes AZA as a relief airport for the Phoenix metropolitan area, providing commercial service capacity that reduces demand on PHX. Gateway Airport also hosts an active general aviation community, flight training schools, and corporate aviation operations that make use of the former military field's generous facilities.
Which airlines fly from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA)?
Allegiant Air is the primary commercial carrier at AZA, operating nonstop flights to leisure destinations including Las Vegas, Orlando, and numerous smaller US cities. The ultra-low-cost model appeals to East Valley residents who prioritize convenience and price on vacation travel. Travelers should check current AZA airline offerings as carriers can change seasonally.
How does AZA differ from Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)?
PHX is Arizona's largest commercial airport with over 45 million passengers annually, serving global destinations with major network carriers. AZA offers fewer destinations (primarily leisure-focused) with Allegiant's ULCC model, providing a convenient, less crowded alternative specifically for East Valley residents traveling to popular vacation spots. PHX offers far more connection options and international service.
What was Williams Air Force Base and how does it relate to AZA?
Williams AFB was one of the US Air Force's most important pilot training bases from 1941 until its closure in 1993. The extensive runway and facility infrastructure left by the Air Force became the foundation for Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, which has leveraged the military investment into a successful civilian commercial and general aviation facility serving the East Valley.
Is there a general aviation FBO at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport?
Yes. Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport has FBO services supporting general aviation, corporate aviation, and private aircraft in addition to its commercial airline operations. The large former military campus provides ample hangar, ramp, and fuel facilities for private pilots transiting Arizona or based in the East Valley.
Phoenix�Mesa Gateway Airport - AZA Contact Information
Address, Phone Number, and Hours for an Airports in Mesa, Arizona.
| Name | Phoenix�Mesa Gateway Airport - AZA |
| Address | 5803 South Sossaman Road, Mesa AZ 85212 Map |
| Phone | (480) 988-7600 |
| Website | |
| Hours |
Map of Phoenix�Mesa Gateway Airport - AZA
Traveling Through Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport: East Valley Guide
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport offers a streamlined travel experience compared to the larger Sky Harbor, with free and close-in parking, shorter TSA lines, and a single terminal that makes arrival and departure straightforward. The airport is situated in east Mesa near Ellsworth Road and US-60, conveniently positioned for residents of Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, San Tan Valley, and Queen Creek. The terminal concourse offers dining options, retail, and rental car services. Ground transportation from AZA connects to the broader East Valley highway network, with access to I-10, US-60, and AZ-202 enabling quick drives to Tempe, Scottsdale, and the eastern Phoenix metro.
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway's development as a commercial airport reflects the broader growth of the Phoenix East Valley, which has added hundreds of thousands of residents over the past two decades. The airport's Air Force heritage is commemorated through displays and the Williams Gateway Museum nearby. The Arizona Department of Transportation Aeronautics Group views AZA as a strategic asset in managing Phoenix metro area aviation capacity, reducing concentration of traffic at PHX and providing commercial service closer to the East Valley's growing population centers. The FAA Western-Pacific Region coordinates AZA's airspace within the Phoenix TRACON, managing the interactions between AZA, Falcon Field (FFZ), Scottsdale Airport (SDL), and Chandler Municipal (CHD) that make the East Valley one of the most aviation-dense suburban environments in the American Southwest.