The city of Mesa’s Falcon Field Airport has been awarded a series of grants through the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Infrastructure Grant program.

The funding will support design work for key projects that strengthen safety, efficiency and connectivity, according to a release.

Grants include a $363,485 award to design a new Taxiway I and Runway 22L holding apron on the northeast side of the airfield.

Falcon Field also received an $85,918 grant to design the reconstruction of the West Airport Service Road, which links the north and south sides of the airfield while providing ground transportation needs across the airport.

A third award of $206,082 will fund design work for the reconstruction of a taxiway connector and apron taxiway. A local grant match of $16,772 will be funded by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

“These grants demonstrate the FAA and ADOT’s recognition of Falcon Field’s importance as a leading general aviation airport,” Airport Director Corinne Nystrom said in the release. “By investing in these projects, we are ensuring the airport can continue to meet the growing needs of pilots, tenants and the broader Mesa community.”

Recent assessments show that these improvements are critical to sustaining Falcon Field Airport’s role as a vital transportation hub. Reconstructing the West Airport Service Road, taxiway connector and apron taxiway will modernize essential airfield infrastructure and help accommodate the growing demands of aircraft, pilots and businesses, the release states.

“We’re grateful for the federal and state support that enables us to proactively invest in infrastructure upgrades and plan for future capacity.” Airport Project and Operations Manager Mark Gibbs said in the release. “These design initiatives lay the groundwork for safe, efficient operations across the airfield for years to come.”

Design work will begin with the new Taxiway I and Runway 22L holding apron in November 2025. Completion of the design process for both areas is anticipated by March 2026. Design work for the reconstruction of the West Airport Service Road, the taxiway connector and apron taxiway will follow and is also scheduled to be completed by spring of 2026.

All projects are part of Falcon Field’s Capital Improvement Program, which includes 32 projects identified in the 2021 Airport Master Plan.

Falcon Field includes a total of 784 acres between Greenfield, Higley, McDowell and McKellips roads in northeast Mesa. There are currently more than 800 aircraft based at Falcon Field. This includes fixed-wing single- and multi-engine aircraft, turboprops, jets and helicopters, according to falconfieldairport.com.