PHX to Exit Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority in June 2024

The City of Phoenix has notified the CEO and Board of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Authority (PMGAA) that effective June 30, 2024, it will conclude its membership with the PMGAA. Phoenix joined the PMGAA Board on May 22, 2006, as the 5th member of the Authority. The City of Phoenix has invested in-kind services, and to date has contributed more than $25 million to support the growth and development of the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Thanks to the Board’s leadership, the airport has excelled and is now well positioned for long-term growth and success.

“Given the Phoenix-Mesa Airport Authority’s strength and financial solvency, as well as Phoenix’s need to continue making financial investments in its own system of airports, now is the right time to conclude participation on the PMGAA Board,” said Phoenix City Councilman Jim Waring, who also serves as the current Vice-Chair of the PMGAA Board.

“PMGAA appreciates the resources, aviation experience, and leadership that the City of Phoenix has provided during the past 17+ years as a member of the Authority”, said J. Brian O’Neill, A.A.E., Executive Director and CEO. “PMGAA staff values its relationship with PHX staff and remains committed to working together on issues of mutual interest in the future.”

Phoenix is providing the PMGAA a full year’s notice to help ensure an orderly transition and provide the Authority ample time to account for the reduction in member contributions associated with the City of Phoenix departure.

“Phoenix maintains an incredibly productive relationship with the professional staff at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, and we look forward to continuing to work in cooperation with the PMGAA to support the air transportation needs of our growing metropolitan area,” said City of Phoenix Director of Aviation Services, Chad Makovsky.

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.