Scottsdale Airport traffic volume is ‘4th in the world’

Annual Scottsdale events raise air traffic by 77%, officials say

A view of Scottsdale Airport's line-up during Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction  week, in late January 2022. (Video courtesy of city of Scottsdale)

Scottsdale Airport reports it is currently ranked fourth in the world for business aviation departures, as Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction and WM Phoenix Open brought in more than 3,000 flights.

WingX, which tracks business aviation flight activity globally, reportedly shows Scottsdale Airport is just below Palm Beach International, Teterboro and Miami-Opa Locka Executive airports through Feb. 14, outshining 2021 numbers by 39%.

Scottsdale Airport announced the news in an emailed newsletter to followers.

“These airports all have more than one runway, which also makes Scottsdale Airport the busiest single runway airport,” the newsletter stated. “Seasonality changes will affect this ranking as we move out of the high season and other destinations experience their high season.”

This early 2022 ranking is reportedly driven by the airport’s “high season” with events like the Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction and the WM Phoenix Open. IFR operations, which are business jets, is one of the best barometers for measuring business jet activity.

Overall the airport experienced an average of 77% increase in business jet operations during these events alone:

• Barrett- Jackson – 2,042 IFR
• Phoenix Open – 1,831 IFR

This is a total of 3,873 IFR operations (business jets) during these two weeks.

A typical week in peak season usually records about 1,094 IFR operations, the newsletter reported.