East Valley airports, Sky Harbor: Big upgrades, big plans

By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

Getting its main runway to a length beyond 5,000 feet is one of the many goals for the Chandler Municipal Airport in the years ahead, according to one presenter at an Oct. 2 event.

The extension of Runway 4R-22L — from 4,870 to 5,550 feet — is one project in Chandler’s first airport strategic business plan. It’s one of many items mentioned by Chandler Airport Manager Ryan Reeves and three other representatives from the aviation business at an event held by the Chandler Chamber of Commerce.

Reeves also talked about funding sources.

“We thank the Chandler City Council for finding the $7 million to repave around all our hangars,” Reeves said.

He also pointed out grants — state, federal and otherwise — are key to airport maintenance and upgrades as well. A $2 million Arizona Department of Transportation grant funded Chandler’s Taxiway B extension, for example.

Reeves listed a wildlife perimeter fence, runway maintenance, “bump gate” installations and development at and near the airport’s southeastern edge among projects planned, in progress or recently completed.

He was followed by presenters from Mesa-Gateway Airport, Sky Harbor and Southwest Airlines.

Ryan Smith, Gateway’s director of communications, covered many projects as well, including mentioning the construction of a new five-gate terminal, Virgin Galactic’s planned manufacturing plant, Gulfstream Aerospace relocating its West Coast operations from California to Mesa and a newer, taller air traffic control tower.

Lexie Van Haren of Phoenix Sky Harbor mentioned the airport’s new Crossfield Taxiway U, which helps planes get to specific locations faster and use less fuel, a child care facility for some of the airport’s 47,000 workers that’s in a design phase and the economic impact of the state’s largest airport and its $4.8 billion annual payroll.

Harold Page of Southwest Airlines covered his company’s role as the market-share leader at Sky Harbor and several new or planned initiatives, including red-eye flights set to begin in February of next year.

All four presenters had statistics showing growth of some type, especially in the number of destinations served.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic.  Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org.

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.