The expansion of the South Concourse Terminal at the Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA) is a transformative project that improves the ability of the airport to operate its growing passenger base. The new 30,000 square meter terminal, which replaced an outdated temporary facility, adds five new goals and significantly improves passenger flow and operational efficiency. Through strategic planning, innovative construction techniques and strong cooperation with industrial partners, AZA has successfully positioned itself as a leading regional airport.
“We have expanded this airport bit by bit over the years,” said J. Brian O'Neill, managing director and CEO of AZA. “With increasing demand, we had to replace our outdated infrastructure to better serve our passengers and airlines. This project was a long time and we knew that this was of essential importance for our future.”
The need and scope of the project
Aza has long operated with limited infrastructure, especially when it came to the final capacity. Before expansion, the airport was based on a temporary facility with four gate, 10,000 square meters, which was originally supposed to be a short -term solution. However, the steady growth of the airport in combination with increasing presence of allegian Air stretched the facility beyond its limits. When Covid-19 pandemic, a lack of stroke became an even bigger problem.
“The old terminal was not only out of date – it was a real challenge to operate at peak times,” said Ryan Smith, director of communication and government relationships at AZA. “We could only use one goal in this facility during the pandemic. It became clear that we needed a more permanent solution.”
The airport officials recognized the urgency and identified the financing options through federal, state and local channels. With $ 14.4 million, which were secured by the termination program for cross -party infrastructure law (BIL), 7 million US dollars from the state of Arizona and additional discretion values of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airport fully financed the 28 million US dollar.
“We were lucky enough to have strong support from our congress delegation, the FAA and the state,” said O'Neill. “This project has really teamed up through a collective effort, and it is a great example of how regional airports can successfully secure the resources they need.”
Design, construction and execution
With the secure financing, the project quickly moved into the design and construction phase. DWL Architects + Planner led the architectural vision and focused on a balance between modernization and maintaining the unique character of the airport. An essential aspect of the design was the integration of the natural landscape of Arizona with an inner courtyard with open-air and an intuitive passenger flow that improves the travel experience.
“The design reflects the identity of this region and at the same time corresponds to modern aviation standards,” said Sandra Kukla, President of DWL Architects. “One of the characteristic elements is what we 'call the walk through the desert' – a courtyard that brings the passengers closer to the landscape and the climate that make arizona unique.”
McCarthy Building Companies, who acted as a bruy manager at risk (CMOR), played a crucial role in ensuring that the project was delivered in good time and within the budget. In order to prevent disorders of the airport operation, the team initially built a temporary 6,300 square meter tension material terminal. This made it possible to maintain your flight schedule and even increase the capacity during the construction.
“The construction of the temporary terminal in just 12 weeks was a big challenge, but it was important,” said Thomas Asste, Senior Project Director at McCarthy. “It gave us the flexibility that we had to go forward without reducing the company. At the same time, we included upper influences, modular construction and building information modeling (BIM) to hold the timeline by the wayside.”
The execution of the constant terminal was completed in less than 12 months – an impressive performance in view of the complexity of the building in an active airfield environment. McCarthy carried out strict measurements of the FAA conformity and gradual construction strategies to minimize the effects on airport operation.
“Security was a top priority,” said Assinte. “We carried out weekly audits, strictly adhered to FAA regulations and worked closely with the airport to coordinate every step. The result was no incidents with a lost time of zero over 111,000 working hours.”
The new terminal also includes several passenger-centered improvements. Improved features of accessibility like a hearing loop system embedded in the ground offer travelers with hearing disorders more. Energy-efficient lighting and HLK systems further improve sustainability, while the layout has been optimized to reduce walking distance and improve passenger comfort.
One of the greatest findings from this project was the importance of an early interest group operation and the flexible construction planning. The management of the AZA worked closely with airlines, local and state governments and industrial partners to ensure that the project reached the long -term goals of the airport and at the same time remained in the budget.
“Communication was the key,” said Smith. “We have worked extensively with allegiant and other stakeholders to ensure that their needs were included. The ability to maintain capacity during the entire construction process was a big prize.”
The financing of the project was a joint effort that showed the power of federal, state and local investments in the regional aviation infrastructure. The Bil -Scholitdium of 14.4 million US dollars was crucial to bring the project of 7 million US dollars from the state of Arizona in order to close the remaining gap. Additional FAA measurement financing provided the last piece of the puzzle.
“This project is proof that if you have a clear vision and strong partnerships that can secure funds that are necessary to bring you to life,” said O'Neill. “It is a great model for other regional airports that want to modernize.”
The future of Mesa Gateway Airport
After completing the South Concourse Terminal Expansion, AZA is now well positioned for future growth. The additional gates not only enable increased flight capacity, but also open the door for new airlines and routes.
“This project completely changed our way of working,” said O'Neill. “We now have an 11-gate facility in which we can carry out simultaneous flights without restrictions. This is a player for our long-term growth.”
The expansion also improves the attractiveness of AZA to leisure travelers, especially with its typical outdoor areas. The combination of a modern design, improved amenities and a streamlined passenger experience gives the airport a competitive advantage in recruiting new business.
“For years it was our goal to develop and at the same time maintain what makes this airport something special,” said Kukla. “With this expansion we did just that. It is a model for other regional airports that want to grow efficiently and inexpensively.”