Author: Aviatorfinds

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Rising from the Sonoran Desert at 1,382 ft, Phoenix–Mesa Gateway Airport (IWA) stands as Arizona’s fastest-growing commercial airport—a thriving alternative to Sky Harbor with low-cost carriers, cargo giants, and world-class GA facilities. Just 20 miles southeast of downtown Phoenix, it offers sweeping views of the Superstition Mountains and direct access to Mesa, Gilbert, and Queen Creek. Home to Allegiant, Flair, WestJet, iAero Airways, and FedEx/UPS—a dynamic hub for leisure travel, flight training, and aerospace innovation.
Coordinates: 33°18′28″N 111°39′19″W | Elevation: 1,382 ft (421 m)

Brief History
Originally Williams Air Force Base (1941–1993), training 26,500+ pilots including future astronauts, IWA reopened in 1994 as a civilian reliever. Allegiant launched commercial service in 2007; Flair Airlines and WestJet followed seasonally. The 2020s brought $200M in expansions—new terminal concourse (2024), Cutter Aviation FBO (2023), and Embry-Riddle’s Global Campus (2025). Named Arizona Airport of the Year in 2023 and 2025 for economic impact ($2.1B annually).