Statements to the Public & Press - From the Airport Administration & City of Mesa Officials

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.”

June 12, 2018

"Falcon Field also is dedicated to continual improvement and growth, and it has been successful in applying for federal and state grants to fund upgrades to infrastructure and facilities. In 2017 a taxiway was realigned and new blast pads were added to runways. In 2018 airfield signage and lighting were replaced with energy-efficient LEDs, and the aircraft washing facility was renovated. In addition, approximately one-third of the Airport's pavement is crack-sealed and seal-coated annually. New airport businesses are continually being recruited."

December 13, 2024

"Total cost of the project is $4,137,534, with substantial financial support from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT). The FAA contributed $3,767,638 and ADOT provided a grant of $184,948. The City of Mesa's contribution to the project was $184,948."

August 7, 2025

' "We're seeing unprecedented business aviation growth at Falcon Field Airport, reflecting a strong demand and confidence in our Airport," said Dee Anne Thomas, Airport Administration Manager.'

September 25, 2025

"All projects are part of Falcon Field's Capital Improvement Program, which includes 32 projects identified in the 2021 Airport Master Plan."

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January 27, 2026

“This program represents our dedication to continuous improvement and our responsibility to the community we serve. It underscores our commitment to foster a safe and secure environment for all airport users,” said Corinne Nystrom, Airport Director. “We’re voluntarily aligning with the Federal Aviation Administration's FAR Part 139 safety standards and taking proactive steps to ensure that everyone operating on the airfield is equipped with the knowledge necessary to maintain the highest safety standards.”

January 27, 2026

“The completion of the Anzio Ramp reconstruction is a noteworthy achievement for our airport,” said Corinne Nystrom, Airport Director at Falcon Field Airport. “This long-awaited upgrade not only modernizes our infrastructure but also strengthens the foundation for the businesses and operations that rely on us. It’s a testament to our commitment to progress. We greatly appreciate the financial support provided by the Arizona Department of Transportation, which made this project possible.”

January 27, 2026

“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. "The City of Mesa is proud to have successfully completed this vital infrastructure project in cooperation with the FAA and ADOT," said Airport Director, Corinne Nystrom. "This greatly supports the Airport's vision to be recognized as a premier location for aviation customers seeking a high-quality airport operating environment in which to thrive and grow.”

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January 27, 2026

“Falcon Field Airport is proud to play a key role in the growth of business aviation on a national level,” said Corinne Nystrom, A.A.E., Airport Director. “Our strategic location is one of many reasons companies are choosing to invest here.”

January 27, 2026

“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. “By investing in these projects, we are ensuring the Airport can continue to meet the growing needs of pilots, tenants and the broader Mesa community.

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January 28, 2026

“Safety is our highest priority,” said Corinne Nystrom, Airport Director. “Investments like these help ensure our airport continues to meet the highest standards for pilots, tenants and the community we serve”

Mar 1, 2008 Updated Oct 7, 2011

"Airport director Corinne Nystrom attributed the jump to the economic vibrancy and activity taking place at Falcon Field and throughout the city. Several flight schools, including Sabena Airline Training Center, Premier Helicopters and Regional Airline Academy, recently began operations at the airport, contributing to the rise in use."

Oct 15, 2009 Updated Oct 8, 2011

"Corrine Nystrom, the airport's director, recently told the City Council and mayor at a meeting the footprint change was part of the larger master plan created for the airport to prepare it for growth in the future. Nystrom informed city officials that a larger noise footprint was necessary given the airport's growth."

Aug 31, 2010 Updated Dec 3, 2014

“We did see an uptick in February of this year, then it’s just consistently been dropping to a pretty low level,” airport director Corinne Nystrom said. Falcon Field typically generated two or three complaints per month in 2007, and remained low even after the February 2007 arrival of the CAE/Sabena Flight Training Center, the world’s largest flight school for foreign pilots."

July 11, 2019

"Of course, we have CAE [Oxford Aviation Academy] which is our largest business operation — it’s our commercial flight training school. At one point, they were over 50 percent of our operation, so it’s a lot of flight training. We are also very much a helicopter training airport."

September 12, 2019

“We’re really happy that we were selected as an Opportunity Zone so that it was more attractive for developers to step in and build these hangars, without necessarily having anybody yet to sign the dotted line,” Nystrom said.

Jul 11, 2022 Updated Sep 22, 2023

Nystrom said. “You are going to have people who are going to buy or rent houses or apartments and buy their groceries in Mesa, buy their fuel and go to McDonald’s. That adds to the economy. Focusing just on the jet traffic, it’s great. But we have to continue to be a diversified airport because when those economic ups and downs come, we are going to want to rely on the industries that are not as adversely affected.”

September 2024

"...has announced plans to construct four new aircraft hangar buildings on 4.13 acres of Falcon Field Airport property."

December 18, 2024

"The total cost of the project was more than $4.1 million and received funding from the FAA, Arizona Department of Transportation and the city of Mesa."

July 3, 2025

"Organizers at Falcon Field in Mesa have increased their resources to address the growing jet traffic noise at the airfield, much of which has been created by the city’s push to boost commercial aviation, infrastructure, and new developments. The demand continues to grow."

August 12, 2025

“We’re also preparing for the future of aviation, investing in infrastructure and innovation to ensure Falcon Field remains a premier destination for business and recreation.” according to Airport Administration Manager Dee Anne Thomas.

September 27, 2025

...a $363,485 grant, will be utilized to quickly design a new Taxiway I and a holding apron for Runway 22L....the airport also snagged an $85,918 grant to design the reconstruction of the West Airport Service Road. ...A third grant of $206,082 is set to fund design overhauls...a local grant match of $16,772 thanks to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).

September 29, 2025

"Falcon Field also received an $85,918 grant to design the reconstruction of the West Airport Service Road, which is a vital corridor that links the north and south sides of the airfield while providing ground transportation needs across the Airport. A third award of $206,082 will fund design work for the reconstruction of a taxiway connector and apron taxiway. A local grant match of $16,772 will be funded by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT)."

October 6, 2025

Four total grants were awarded to the airport, including a grant match by the ADOT for $16,772. The three other grants were $363,485, $85,918 and $206,082, respectively.

November 19, 2025

"Additionally, the City cannot impose access restrictions that discriminate against any type of airport user such as flight training schools. Recognizing the disruptive impact aircraft noise can have on certain neighborhoods, Mesa works extensively with community members, airport tenants, federal partners and other stakeholders to balance the needs of residents and those of airport users. The Fly Friendly program provides detailed noise mitigation recommendations, which the City continually promote among airport users."

December 10, 2025

"A community meeting on Dec. 11 will discuss the issue, including the potential for charging airport landing fees to reduce traffic."

Jan 1, 2026 Updated Jan 14, 2026

"Nystrom pointed out that while several other Valley airports are subsidized by their governing entity, Falcon Field receives no city funding. Although the airport does receive federal and state grant funding for essential capital improvements, it must rely on revenues collected from airport tenants and users to pay for ongoing maintenance, repair and operations expenses, according to Nystrom."

February 18, 2026

The city council vote was originally scheduled for Feb. 9 but has been delayed by 45 days after receiving pushback from pilots. The city is accepting feedback through March 3.

March 17, 2026

"Although federal and state grants help with some capital improvement projects, the Federal Aviation Administration will not pay for ongoing pavement maintenance, according to Nystrom."

March 23, 2026

" 'It is solely a proposal to address the airport's financial sustainability,' Casey Blake, a spokesperson for the city of Mesa said in a statement.....But the funding will dry up in less than two years, so the city proposed landing fees to keep the airport self-sustaining."

April 10, 2024

"In the last five years, there have been five major hangar development projects completed at Falcon Field."

June 18, 2024

"Submissions to the Mesa Design Review Board show civil site work will include vehicle parking, outdoor equipment pads, utility connections, an asphalt aircraft apron, helicopter landing pads and access to the taxi lane."

August 2024

"The Midfield Crossover Taxiway project at Falcon Field Airport included construction of a new connector taxiway and the full realignment of Taxiways D7 and D8 to enhance aircraft circulation, bringing the airfield layout into compliance with FAA design standards."

August 26, 2024

"The developed land will remain part of the overall airport property, under DKS Properties long-term land lease in a development agreement with the Airport Authority and the city of Mesa."