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 cover $2.6 million in annual expenses and essential deferred maintenance and capital improvements, as previous funding is depleting.
The decision followed a contentious debate, with residents arguing that airport users should fund upkeep, while airport businesses, particularly flight schools, warned the fees would significantly increase student training costs and threaten their viability.
Effective May 1, the new fees include charges such as $20.35 per landing for based aircraft (with the first 10 monthly landings exempt) and $24.35 for itinerant aircraft, leading to concerns about potential business closures and higher costs for flight training.

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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.