Mesa Approves Landing Fees at Falcon Field

Measure was opposed by many airport users, including flight schools.

Zach Vasile

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Falcon Field Airport in Mesa, Arizona [Credit: Falcon Field Airport]

Key Takeaways:

Mesa City Council unanimously approved new landing fees at Falcon Field (KFFZ) to address $2.6 million in annual expenses and long-deferred maintenance, following a contentious debate.
Proponents argued airport users should fund upkeep instead of taxpayers, while opponents, especially flight schools, warned the fees would significantly increase training costs and harm airport businesses.
The new fees, effective May 1 (with exemptions for based aircraft's first 10 monthly landings), are expected to raise the cost of flight training and may force some small airport-based businesses to close.

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The city council of Mesa, Arizona, voted unanimously Monday to approve new landing fees at Falcon Field (KFFZ), settling for now a contentious debate that divided area residents and airport users.

According to KSAZ-TV in Phoenix, the vote followed close to two hours of public comment on the landing fee proposal. Those in favor argued that airport users, not taxpayers, should foot the bill for Falcon Field’s maintenance and capital improvements. Some supporters who live near the airport also cited what they described as a diminished quality of life from an increase in traffic there over time.