Small Phoenix-area airport poised to grow

By Stephanie Sanchez

Cronkite News Service
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 10.13.2007

MESA — Karen Buckner could have flown to Las Vegas out of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. But when a cousin told her about Williams Gateway Airport, much closer to her Gilbert home, it was an easy choice.

"There's way less traffic; it's small and convenient," Buckner said.

It's also quiet, and security is a breeze, she said. But there's just one airline. Las Vegas-based Vision Airlines offers two flights a week to North Las Vegas, one on Friday and another on Sunday.

That's expected to change in coming years as the airport gears up to take more of the load off Sky Harbor. Later this month, Allegiant Air, also based in Las Vegas, will begin offering direct flights to smaller cities in nine states.

The facility also is getting a new name as of Oct. 15: Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. That means doing away with Williams, a nod to the airport's decades as an Air Force base.

The name change is important to airlines interested in using the airport, said Brian Sexton, a spokesman for Williams Gateway.

"Airlines will use the new name in their advertising campaigns, and it will immediately tell a potential customer where the airport is located," Sexton said.

Allegiant viewed the name change as essential, said Tyri Squyres, a spokeswoman for the airline.

"A lot of airports are changing their name because it puts them on the map," Squyres said. "From a marketing perspective, it helps us promote the destination in our advertising, and Williams Gateway does not speak to Phoenix or Arizona."

Chicago Rockford International Airport experienced a 9 percent increase in passengers from 2005 to 2006 after changing its name from "Greater Rockford," said Mike Dunn, chairman of the Chicago Rockford Airport Authority's board of directors.

"Once the name is changed then you are going to have the airport listed under the Internet options such as Expedia.com or Orbit.com," Dunn said.

Last year, Williams Gateway handled 18,700 passengers. By 2008, officials expect about 125,000.

"The master plan for us is to have 10 percent of Sky Harbor passenger service within the next 10 to 15 years," Sexton said.

With Sky Harbor expecting 50 million passengers annually by 2015, that airport welcomes the help, said Julie Rodriguez, a Sky Harbor spokeswoman.

"We see Williams Gateway as a reliever," Rodriguez said.

The city of Phoenix recently joined a $5 million partnership between Sky Harbor and Williams Gateway to boost airline traffic on the east side of the Phoenix area.

"Williams Gateway Airport is poised as an alternative for the Valley," Sexton said. "We're here to complement Sky Harbor, not to compete with them."

Sexton said Williams Gateway Airport is looking toward adding a new terminal and a connection to the nearby Santan Freeway when the passenger load warrants them.

Queen Creek resident George Vance, on his way to Las Vegas to watch a golf tournament and visit relatives, said using Williams Gateway is all about convenience.

"I don't care whatever the price the tickets are," Vance said. "I just didn't want to go through the hassle of security checks or waiting for a long time in line for tickets."

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