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Mesa staff propose landing fees, rent increases at Falcon Field to close $2 million shortfall
Summary
City staff told the Mesa City Council a combination of a new landing fee, higher hangar and tie-down rents and a 15% avgas (fuel flowage) fee increase are proposed to address an estimated $2.0 million annual shortfall in Falcon Field’s airfield cost center and to avoid deferred maintenance becoming reconstruction-level work.
Mesa City Manager Sam Schults and Falcon Field staff presented the council a plan on March 12 to raise several airport charges — including a proposed landing fee — to make Falcon Field Airport’s cost centers financially self-sustaining.
Karin (Falcon Field staff) told the council the airfield cost center faces about $2.4 million in annual costs and currently generates roughly $374,000 in non‑grant revenue (about $340,000 from avgas fuel flowage fees plus other small sources), leaving an approximate $2.0 million shortfall. “These fees are not being proposed to reduce noise or flight traffic, discriminate against a specific user, or favor one user over another similarly situated user,” Karin said, adding that FAA policy limits how airports may set rates.
Why it matters: staff said inflation and rising construction and pavement costs since about 2021 forced the airport to defer routine maintenance on ramps and city‑owned hangars. Deferred crack‑fill and seal‑coat work, if postponed long enough, can lead to full reconstruction that is far more expensive. Karin said many city‑owned hangars built in the 1980s and 1990s show…
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