Gary Vacin

New developments at the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport will be the topic of a presentation at the Sun Lakes Aero Club gathering on Monday, March 20, at the Sun Lakes Country Club Navajo Room.

Our speaker will be Ryan Smith, director of communications and government relations at the airport. The presentation will begin at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

Smith will describe how the airport has long been a significant economic engine for the Greater Phoenix Region. He said that a 2021 study found that the airport creates a $1.8 billion economic impact each year.

“As more and more people discover Gateway, that number is only anticipated to grow,” he added. Last year was a record year for the airport, setting milestones for the most passengers ever (nearly two million) and most private developments ever, including Gulfstream, Virgin Galactic, and more.

“We look forward to talking about all of the exciting things going on at Gateway and what to expect in 2023,” he added.

Among the developments was the completion of a new $30 million air traffic control tower that was completed in August of 2022.

The Aero Club is an official Sun Lakes organization. The group has monthly gatherings November through April featuring speakers on a wide variety of aviation-related topics. Our April 17 speaker will be a helicopter pilot with the Mesa Police Department.

Additional information on the club is available from Cannon Hill at 509-539-7857 or Gary Vacin at 480-298-7017.