As we move into the new year, we want to clearly restate our position as Mesa homeowners and taxpayers as City Council continues discussions regarding Falcon Field.

Our support for landing fees is rooted in fairness and fiscal responsibility. Many residents living near the airport do not use Falcon Field, do not train there, and do not benefit from high-volume flight-school operations. Yet the costs created by this intensive use, including wear and tear on runways, taxiways, staffing, and airport infrastructure, should not be shifted onto taxpayers who do not use the facility.

Landing fees are lawful and used to help airports remain self-sustaining, consistent with FAA expectations. When applied fairly, they ensure that those who use the airport most contribute proportionally to its upkeep, rather than asking surrounding neighborhoods to subsidize operations they do not participate in.

We also want to clarify an important point in the public discussion. Some opposition groups, including national aviation advocacy organizations such as Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, have attempted to frame landing fees as a response to noise complaints. Under FAA policy, airports are not permitted to impose landing fees as a noise penalty. Fees must be based on cost recovery, congestion, safety, and airport sustainability. This framing appears intended to recast a financial and operational policy discussion as a noise issue, which could be used to challenge the fees at the federal level. Luckily the airport and city are smarter than that! 

This petition is not anti-aviation and not anti-airport. It is about responsible management, protecting neighborhood quality of life, and ensuring Falcon Field remains viable for the long term while respecting the residents who live around it.

Call to Action:

As City Council prepares to discuss these issues in the coming weeks, we encourage supporters to stay engaged. Please attend upcoming meetings if you are able, and respectfully email Mesa City Council members and the Mayor to share your perspective as a local resident and taxpayer. Continued community involvement is essential to ensuring that local voices remain part of the decision-making process.

Thank you for your continued support as we work toward a balanced and sustainable solution for Falcon Field and our community. SEE EVERYONE FEBRUARY 9TH!!