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, maintenance, and capital improvements, aiming to shift financial responsibility from taxpayers to airport users.
The decision followed a contentious debate, with residents supporting the fees to mitigate increased traffic and costs, while airport tenants, particularly flight schools, argued the charges would severely impact their businesses and significantly raise flight training expenses.
Effective May 1, the new fees will charge over $20 per landing for light aircraft (with the first 10 monthly landings exempt for based aircraft), leading to concerns that small flight schools may face closure or be forced to pass substantial cost increases to students.

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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.