Falcon Field’s Landing Fee Proposal Sparks Battle Between Airport Tenants and Area Residents

Mesa, Arizona, facility seeks $2.6 million for self-sufficiency, but the new charge threatens flight schools and pilot training.

Meg Godlewski

Monday, March 09, 2026 at 01:18 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Falcon Field city sponsor Mesa, Arizona, wants to create landing fees at the airport, but flight schools are against it. [Credit: Falcon Field Airport]

Key Takeaways:

Falcon Field Airport's proposed landing fees are supported by surrounding residents aiming to reduce noise and traffic due to increased operations and safety concerns, but strongly opposed by airport tenants and users.
The city of Mesa states the fees are essential to cover $2.6 million in annual airfield expenses and maintain the airport's financial self-sufficiency, as previous funds are depleting and maintenance has been deferred.
Airport tenants, particularly flight schools, warn that the $20 per landing fee would drastically increase operational costs, especially for training flights, potentially reducing activity, raising student costs, or forcing relocation, with no exemptions for training aircraft.

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The proposal to implement landing fees at Falcon Field Airport (KFFZ) in Mesa, Arizona, is generating pushback from airport tenants and users, but there’s support from residential neighborhoods surrounding it that perceive the charges as a means to reduce noise levels by reducing traffic.

Falcon Field Airport has two parallel runways: 4L/22R, measuring 3,799 feet by 75 feet, and 4R/22L, measuring 5,100 by 100. The airport sits in Class D airspace beneath the Phoenix Class B.