Statements to the Public & Press - From the Airport Administrati...

From the Airport Administration & City of Mesa Officials

May 18, 2009

"A member of the newly created Falcon Field Ad Hoc Task Force, created by Mayor Scott Smith to look into ways to assuage the rising noise and safety concerns of the airport's neighbors, Wayne also recently created a Web site to garner support for changes at the airport. Wayne pointed to the Web site, www.keepfalconfieldsafe.com, as an avenue for neighbors of the airport to visit to learn about and share their noise and safety concerns. Mesa spokesman Steve Wright said the city created the committee, among other initiatives on Falcon Field, to help bridge a widening, and deepening rift between the airport and many of its neighbors. 'That involves making sure we are balancing the needs of the city, the community and the airport,' Wright said."

July 8, 2009

"What’s at the root of noise complaints at historic Falcon Field in Mesa, Ariz.? Business owners and pilots want to know, so are pushing for a study, the latest twist in an intense noise debate in that city."

November 19, 2009

"When the Sabena Airline Training Center moved to Falcon Field in Mesa, Ariz., the airport went from the twelfth busiest general aviation airport in the nation to the fourth. The airport’s success, however, has caused strife with some of its neighbors."

July 3, 2019

"...10-year capital improvement plan is $27.3 million and that 90% of it is eligible for grants from the FAA and ADOT. If those grants eventually are secured, Mesa’s share would be $1.6 million, according to the master plan."

December 17, 2024

' “This new infrastructure will support the airport’s growth as a key asset to Mesa’s economy. We are committed to ensuring Falcon Field remains a premier aviation hub," said Mesa District 5 City Councilmember Alicia Goforth.'

July 8, 2025

The budget for complete reconstruction is $577,760, and will likely be paid for entirely with state funds (vs. the usual 90% state funding with 10% local match). In this case, the city was only responsible for a contingency of $20,000. Although the project is not fully closed out, Gibbs expects it to finish under budget with $519,132 being spent as of mid-June. Unused contingency funds will be returned to the city’s Airport Enterprise Fund.

August 8, 2025

' “These developments mark a significant advancement in the services offered at the Airport, and they contribute to the ongoing economic strength of both the airport and the surrounding community,” said Nystrom.'

September 26, 2025

' “These grants demonstrate the FAA and ADOT’s recognition of Falcon Field’s importance as a leading general aviation airport,” said Corinne Nystrom, A.A.E., Airport Director.'

December 05, 2025

"Airport Director Corinne Nystrom told representatives from the Arizona Pilots Association (APA) during a Nov. 10 meeting that while the airport is currently self-sustaining, future projections show a budget deficit tied to maintenance obligations that are not eligible for FAA grant funding."

March 09, 2026

“The sole objective of proposed landing fees is to cover the projected $2.6 million in annual airfield cost center expenses,” said John Zielonka, Mesa City Council public information officer. “For several years, Falcon Field Airport has been able to have a balanced budget due to a one-time sale in 2006 of airport-owned land and by significantly deferring maintenance and capital improvements. The one-time funds generated from the land sale will be exhausted within the next one to two years, and projects cannot be deferred any longer, meaning additional revenue must be generated to keep the airport financially self-sustaining.”