Mesa Gateway Airport board approves resolution to install new airline operations support system

The Mesa Gateway Airport Authority Board of Directors unanimously approved a resolution for a $1.5 million contract with ARINC Inc. for equipment and installation services for the airport’s Common Use Passenger Processing System at their Jan. 21 meeting.

The airport is operated by the MGAA, which consists of representation from Apache Junction, Mesa, Queen Creek, Gilbert an the Gila River Indian Community.

The common use system for the airport supports airline operations from 11 gates and 16 two-position check-in counters for a total of 32 ticketing stations, according to board documents. The board documents say that the system helps manage operational resources, including gates, stands, ground handling equipment, check-in counters and more.

The board documents say that the system has become outdated and needs to be replaced as the software systems are no longer getting updated.

“The current system in use at MGAA has been deprecated. While the software systems are still supported by the vendor, on a reduced basis, no new updates or patches will be developed. Additionally, system hardware components in the terminal complex are approaching eight years of service and hardware failures have necessitated replacement of the hardware components,” the board documents said. “The replacement solution will bring the airport to current software versions and includes the replacement of all computer hardware and software.”

ARINC Inc. is part of Collins Aerospace. Collins was one of five vendors that responded to the request for proposal and was ultimately one of the three finalists. Amadeus Airport IT Americas Inc. was chosen as the recommended vendor for the contract but Collins was chosen after negotiations on the contract fell through, according to the board documents.

The next meeting of the Mesa Gateway Airport Authority is 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, in the Board Room (Saguaro A&B) of the Gateway Administration Building, 5835 S. Sossaman Road in Mesa. Agendas and minutes are at https://www.gatewayairport.com/leadership.