Queen Creek sees benefits from Mesa Gateway Airport growth

Major changes are coming to Mesa Gateway Airport in the next year.

During its May 6 meeting, the Queen Creek Town Council received an update on the airport’s plans and changes from J. Brian O’Neill, executive director of the Mesa Gateway Airport Authority.

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

The first major change is that the airport will be down to just one airline though the number of flights is expected to remain the same.

“Unfortunately, Allegiant (Air) is purchasing Sun Country (Airlines), so we’re going to be back down to one airline. But I assure you, we are working hard. We are trying to recruit other airlines,” O’Neill said.

Mesa Gateway Airport is a 3,000-acre economic development project with three 10,000-foot runways. O’Neill said 2025 was a record year for passengers and cargo to the airport. The airport logged more than 2 million passengers for the first time and moved 7 million tons of cargo.

The increase in passengers will translate into new food, beverage and retail concessions. Cold Beers and Cheeseburgers is going to open near Gate 5, and a Dunkin’ is set to open near Gate 4. O’Neill also said the airport is in talks to bring Wetzel’s Pretzels to the airport.

Building is underway for a new TSA checked-baggage facility that will start with two machines that can process 1,500 bags an hour. O’Neill said the facility is expected to open at the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028.

During the past three years, Mesa Gateway Airport has had more than 1.6 million square feet of private development. Boeing Aerospace has been at Mesa Gateway Airport for decades and opened a new hanger facility 2022 at the north end of the airport.

Aerospace companies continue to establish or expand their footprints at the airport. Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. has more than 325,000 square feet of total space there and is looking to build another 225,000-square-foot hanger, as well as a 150,000-square-foot facility for painting aircraft.

Virgin Galactic has a 115,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and a 50,000-square-foot hanger.

In February, Garmin announced it had acquired a hangar and office complex at the airport totaling 75,000 square feet as it grows its aviation business.

Up and running is Gateway Commerce Center III, a two-building complex with a total of 100,000 square feet off Sossaman Road. The center has signed its first tenant, HB Aerospace.

“This has got suites as small as 6,000 square feet. So, if you’re looking for a small business that needs a yard out back and maybe an office out front, this is a perfect product for that,” O’Neill said.

Flight Safety International has announced it will build a 100,000-square-foot learning center across the street from Gulfstream on the airport’s east side to train pilots throughout the year.

“They estimate between 30,000 and 40,000 room nights that they will need here in the East Valley,” O’Neill said. “So, hotels that are being built in Queen Creek and hotels that are being built near the airport are going to be vitally important for being able to meet the needs of flight safety as they come on line.”

The SkyBridge Arizona Master Development is a 360-acre development with “635,000 square-feet of buildings and hangers already completed. They’ve also got $40 million worth of infrastructure that they’ve already invested in,” O’Neill said.

SkyBridge has started Phase 2 of its development and plans to build four more aerospace facilities.

Recently, ground was broken on a new Wyndham hotel at SkyBridge that will have a conference facility, a restaurant and a fitness facility.

Gateway East on the east side of the airport is a 273-acre, all non-aeronautical development. The first tenant is XNRGY Climate Systems with 275,000 square feet.

“They do high quality, high velocity HVAC systems,” O’Neill said. “They wanted to be on line last year by April because they are working closely with LG (Energy Solution).”

Also coming to Gateway East is a five-story, 129-room SpringHill Suites by Marriott that will be directly across the street from the Arizona Athletic Grounds, “and I know that they’re in desperate need of hotels during big weekends where they’re holding tournaments,” O’Neill said.

Along with the hotel, Gateway East has two retail buildings totaling about 17,000 square feet with sites for two restaurants.

Meanwhile, the Ray Road Economy Parking Lot will get another 200 covered parking spaces.

Over the next five or six years, Mesa Gateway Airport will be working on a $130 million plan for more airfield projects, such as taxiway connectors.

Janet Perez can be reached at jperez@iniusa.org. Please send your comments about this article to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.