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AZA · medium airport

Mesa Gateway Airport

Mesa, United States

Airports
AZAmedium airport

Mesa Gateway Airport

Mesa, United States
Explore Mesa city guide Navigate to this airport
32
Routes out
32
Destinations
KIWA
ICAO
1382 ft
Elevation
TravelerPulse profile

Phoenix metro's low-cost gateway in the East Valley.

Opened
1994
Location
Mesa, United States
Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA/KIWA) is a public airport located in Mesa, Arizona, approximately 25 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix. Originally established as Williams Air Force Base, it served as a U.S. Air Force pilot training facility for decades before being converted to civilian use. The airport primarily serves low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers, offering an alternative to the busier Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It has grown significantly since its conversion, handling millions of passengers annually and supporting both commercial and general aviation operations. The facility is operated by the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority and continues to expand its route network, connecting the East Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area to destinations across the United States.
Terminals
The airport operates a single passenger terminal building designed to accommodate commercial airline traffic efficiently.
Getting to & from
Ground transportation options include rental cars, rideshare services, taxis, and regional bus connections, though direct light rail service to the airport is limited.
Airlines here
Allegiant Air and Southwest Airlines are among the primary carriers operating at Mesa Gateway, with additional service from other low-cost carriers.
Notable facts
  • ›Originally opened as Williams Air Force Base in 1941 and used for U.S. Air Force pilot training.
  • ›Williams AFB closed in 1993 and was subsequently converted to civilian airport use.
  • ›The airport is operated by the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority.
  • ›Serves as a reliever airport for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
  • ›Located in the East Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area, closer to Mesa, Chandler, and Gilbert residents.
This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.
Phoenix's eastern gateway where the Sonoran Desert meets the sky

Mesa Gateway Airport, formerly Williams Gateway Airport, is a public airport located in Mesa, Arizona, southeast of downtown Phoenix. Originally a military airfield known as Williams Air Force Base, it was converted to civilian use in the 1990s and has since grown into a regional commercial hub. The airport serves as a key alternative to Phoenix Sky Harbor, offering a quieter, less congested travel experience with low-cost carrier service.

Terminals
  • Main Terminal — A single modern terminal handling all commercial and general aviation operations with standard amenities and security checkpoints.
Ground Transport
  • Rental car agencies available on-site including Hertz, Enterprise, and National
  • Rideshare services Uber and Lyft operate at the airport
  • Taxi service available at the arrivals curb
  • Valley Metro bus routes connect to the broader Phoenix metro area
  • Private shuttle services available to downtown Mesa and Scottsdale
Nearby Hotels
  • Courtyard by Marriott Phoenix Mesa Gateway Airport
  • Hilton Garden Inn Phoenix/Chandler
  • Hampton Inn & Suites Gilbert
  • Holiday Inn Express Mesa
  • Residence Inn Phoenix Gilbert
Dining

Inside the terminal, food and beverage options are limited but include a café and basic grab-and-go snack outlets suited for short layovers. The surrounding Mesa and Gilbert area offers a wide range of restaurants, fast food chains, and Southwest cuisine within a short drive. Travelers are advised to eat before arriving or plan for limited in-terminal choices.

Traveller Tips
  • Arrive at least 90 minutes before departure as the terminal, though smaller, can experience security delays during peak Allegiant travel times.
  • Parking is affordable and generally easy to find, with both short-term and long-term lots directly adjacent to the terminal.
  • The airport primarily serves Allegiant Air, so check the airline's baggage policies carefully before packing.
  • Temperatures in the Phoenix metro area frequently exceed 110°F in summer — stay hydrated and use covered walkways wherever possible.
Official website

AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.

Route map (32 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Airlines serving this airport

Routes

AZA → BILG4 · 319
AZA → BLIG4 · M80
AZA → BZNG4 · M80
AZA → DLHG4 · M80
AZA → FARG4 · M80 319
AZA → FSDG4 · M80 319
AZA → GFKG4 · M80
AZA → GTFG4 · M80
AZA → ICTG4 · M80
AZA → IDAG4 · M80
AZA → MLIG4 · 319
AZA → MSOG4 · M80
AZA → OAKG4 · M80
AZA → PSCG4 · M80
AZA → PVUG4 · 319
AZA → RFDG4 · 319
AZA → RSTG4 · 319
AZA → SGFG4 · M80
AZA → ATWG4 · M80
AZA → BISG4 · M80
AZA → CIDG4 · M80 319
AZA → EUGG4 · M80
AZA → FWAG4 · 319
AZA → GRIG4 · M80
AZA → GRRG4 · 319
AZA → LASG4 · M80
AZA → MOTG4 · M80
AZA → OGDG4 · 319
AZA → PIAG4 · M80
AZA → RAPG4 · M80
AZA → SBNG4 · M80
AZA → STCG4 · 319

Aircraft operating here

Hotels near AZA

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City & Place Guide

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

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Mesa Gateway Airport
Encyclopaedia

Mesa Gateway Airport – also known as Phoenix–Mesa Airport – is an airport in southeastern Mesa, Arizona, located approximately 20 miles southeast of Phoenix, in Maricopa County. The airport, owned and operated by the Mesa Gateway Airport Authority, is a reliever airport for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. It is a base for Allegiant Air.

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