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Growth of Gateway airport benefits all
East Valley residents probably know better than anyone the importance of good planning. In the past decade, the area has grown beyond what many residents ever imagined, and the trend continues. Currently, more than 1 million people live within a 30-minute drive of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. And 20 years from now, 1 million people will live east of Phoenix Mesa-Gateway, and will have to drive past that airport to reach Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. If those residents can fly out of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway instead of making the long trip into Phoenix, it will be a win for everyone.
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is enjoying tremendous success. Allegiant Air now offers direct service to 15 destinations - flying to many cities that don't have direct service from Sky Harbor. More than 1,200 people are employed thanks to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, and it already has an economic impact of more than $500 million a year.
Increased air service at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway is not only a benefit to the East Valley, but a benefit to all of our region. Even though passenger traffic is down this year, the Valley's population will continue to grow, and so will demand for flights. If Sky Harbor continues to handle nearly all commercial flights in and out of the Valley, the Phoenix airport and its runways will reach capacity much sooner than hoped. Developing additional commercial flight options at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway will take pressure off Sky Harbor and increase convenience for East Valley residents.
When we talk about good planning, we must stop and thank the original members of the Williams Gateway Airport Authority for their foresight to lay the solid foundation for what has become Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Those original members - Mesa, Gilbert, Queen Creek and the Gila River Indian Community - made it possible for the Valley to establish what is emerging as a reliever airport for Sky Harbor. Phoenix is proud to be a member of the authority and we look forward to a long and prosperous relationship with our East Valley partners.
Phoenix-Mesa Gateway's motto is "just plane easy." Our hope is that the partnership between Gateway and Sky Harbor make air travel "plane easy" for the entire Valley in the years to come.
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