Mesa revises Falcon Field landing fees after legal challenge
Mesa has proposed a revised weight-based landing fee schedule for Falcon Field Airport, charging $4.14 per 1,000 pounds, following a lawsuit and FAA review. The City Council will vote on the changes December 8, 2026.
Mesa has proposed a revised landing fee schedule for Falcon Field Airport. The new plan would charge all aircraft $4.14 per 1,000 pounds of maximum landing weight, a shift from the flat-rate fees approved earlier this year.
The revised schedule applies to fixed-wing aircraft, rotorcraft, drones, and eVTOLs. It includes exemptions for aircraft weighing less than 1,000 pounds, as well as for emergency landings and public safety, medical, federal, and military operations. For a typical aircraft weighing 2,500 pounds, the fee would be $10.35 per landing.
This replaces the previously approved structure, which had different rates for based and itinerant aircraft and included free monthly landings for based users. The earlier fees are shown below alongside the new proposed calculation.
| Fee Type | Aircraft Category | Weight Threshold | Fee per Landing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Previous (Approved March) | Based Fixed-Wing | 6,000 lbs or less | $20.35 | Included 10 free monthly landings |
| Previous (Approved March) | Itinerant Fixed-Wing | 6,000 lbs or less | $24.35 | N/A |
| Proposed (Revised) | All Aircraft | Per 1,000 lbs MLW | $4.14 | Exemptions apply for sub-1,000 lb aircraft and specific operations |
The city publicly posted the revised schedule. It follows legal and federal scrutiny of the original fees, which were intended to help keep the airport self-sustaining.
Background and Legal Context
The fee revision follows a federal lawsuit by flight schools and a denied injunction request. CAE Aviation Academy and Thrust Flight challenged the original fees in court. A federal judge denied the schools’ request for a preliminary injunction, though the underlying litigation remains pending.
Separately, the Federal Aviation Administration initiated a review in April. The FAA expressed concern that the fees targeted specific airport users and jeopardized Phoenix-area airspace safety. The agency requested a delay in implementation. In an April 13 letter, the FAA stated, "Any attempt to limit operations or specific types of operations, through landing fees, is not permissible."
Prompted by this litigation and scrutiny, Mesa retained the national aviation law firm Anderson & Kreiger LLP to review the fee structure. The city's revised proposal is based on that firm's recommendations.
Financial and Operational Rationale
Mesa states the revised fees are needed to cover a significant financial shortfall. According to the city’s October 9 financial report, Falcon Field faces approximately $2.6 million in net airfield costs for fiscal year 2026-27.
The new landing fees are expected to generate about $2.5 million annually. Officials say this revenue is necessary to address rising operating costs and deferred maintenance. Proceeds from a $4.6 million airport land sale in 2006 are nearly exhausted. The program's goal is to make the airport financially self-sustaining, having users cover operating costs instead of Mesa residents.
Next Steps and Implementation
Arizona law requires a 60-day public notice period for the revised fees. Mesa plans additional consultation with airport users before bringing the changes to the City Council. The council is scheduled to consider the revised fee schedule at its December 8, 2026 meeting.
If approved, the city intends to proceed with implementation and collection. The city consulted with users before adopting the original fees and will do so again for this revision. The final step rests with the council's vote. If approved by the Mesa City Council on Dec. 8, 2026, the City will implement and collect the revised landing fees at Falcon Field Airport.
