Mesa, Arizona, February 10, 2026
Garmin has opened a new aviation facility at Mesa Gateway Airport, enhancing aircraft certification and flight test operations. This 75,000-square-foot facility will employ about 75 staff members and aims to foster economic growth in the Greater Phoenix area. The airport’s robust infrastructure and strategic development continue to solidify its role as a hub for innovation and aviation excellence in Arizona.
Mesa, Arizona
Garmin Expands Aviation Footprint at Mesa Gateway Airport, Fueling Regional Growth
Mesa Gateway Airport continues to soar as a nexus of innovation and economic vitality in the Greater Phoenix area. The recent establishment of Garmin’s new aviation facility marks another significant milestone, underscoring the region’s appeal for entrepreneurial spirit and private sector investment. This strategic expansion by a global leader in aviation technology highlights the favorable environment for businesses seeking to grow and innovate, contributing to local job creation and technological advancement.
The continuous growth at Mesa Gateway Airport exemplifies how well-managed infrastructure, coupled with a proactive approach to attracting leading industries, can transform a community. By fostering a climate that encourages private development and minimizes obstacles, Mesa is carving out a reputation as a dynamic hub for the aerospace sector. Such developments are crucial for bolstering the local economy, creating high-value jobs, and solidifying Arizona’s position as a center for aviation excellence.
Garmin’s Strategic Investment in Mesa
Garmin, a prominent name in global positioning system (GPS) technology and aviation solutions, has significantly expanded its operational capacity by acquiring a hangar and office complex at Mesa Gateway Airport. This new facility, encompassing approximately 75,000 square feet across two adjacent hangars and office space, is designed to accommodate about 75 employees. The primary purpose of this expansion is to enhance aircraft certification and flight test operations, critical components for bringing new aviation products to market.
The selection of Mesa Gateway Airport was driven by its robust infrastructure, featuring three parallel runways, two of which extend over 10,000 feet in length, and consistently clear year-round weather conditions. These attributes provide an ideal setting for extensive flight testing. This new Mesa location complements Garmin’s existing flight operations centers in New Century, Kansas, and Salem, Oregon. The company has maintained an engineering presence in the Phoenix area for over two decades, with facilities in Tempe, Chandler, and Scottsdale, and this latest investment further solidifies its regional footprint. The expansion is expected to generate new employment opportunities in engineering, aircraft airworthiness approvals, and flight test roles.
Mesa Gateway Airport: A Hub of Aviation Activity
Mesa Gateway Airport has undergone a remarkable transformation from its origins as Williams Air Force Base into a bustling commercial passenger airport and a vital center for aviation businesses. This strategic evolution has positioned the airport as a significant economic engine, contributing an estimated $1.8 billion annually to Arizona’s economy and supporting over 10,000 jobs across the state.
The airport continues to break records, having surpassed 2 million annual passengers in Fiscal Year 2025 and achieving new highs in operating revenue and aviation fuel sales. Over 2.4 million square feet of private development has materialized at the airport, with nearly half of these projects commencing after 2020. This impressive growth reflects a successful strategy of leveraging private investment to attract industry leaders.
Private Sector Momentum and Infrastructure Enhancements
Mesa Gateway Airport is home to a diverse array of aviation companies, including customer support centers for major aircraft manufacturers such as Cessna/Beechcraft-Textron, Embraer, Boeing, Virgin Galactic, Able Aerospace Services, and Gulfstream. A notable recent development includes Gulfstream’s opening of a new $130 million, 225,000 square foot West Coast Service Center in November 2024. This facility significantly expanded Gulfstream’s airport presence to over 325,000 square feet and now employs over 300 local individuals.
Further demonstrating a commitment to advanced aviation practices, Avflight’s Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) at Mesa, Arizona, began offering Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in September 2024. The airport also hosts a large maintenance base for ATP Flight School, underscoring its role in aviation training and support. In February 2024, Mesa Gateway Airport unveiled a 30,000 square foot terminal expansion, adding five new gates and bringing the total to eleven. This $28 million project received funding from federal grants, as well as state and local sources, demonstrating a collaborative effort to enhance critical infrastructure.
A Strategic Location for Economic Development
Recognizing its evolving role, the airport recently rebranded from Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport to Mesa Gateway Airport, a change that reflects Mesa’s growing identity as a national center for innovation and business development. As a designated foreign trade zone, Mesa Gateway Airport offers enhanced access to international markets, further boosting its attractiveness for businesses. The airport also benefits from its proximity to five post-secondary institutions, including Arizona State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which maintain campuses at Gateway, contributing to a skilled workforce pipeline.
In 2025, Mesa Gateway Airport handled over 304,000 annual operations and dispensed more than 21.5 million gallons of fuel, earning it the distinction of being the second busiest contract air traffic control tower in the United States. This level of activity underscores its crucial role within the Greater Phoenix metropolitan area, one of the nation’s fastest-growing communities. While Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport serves as a major domestic connecting hub, Mesa Gateway Airport provides a vital reliever function and unique opportunities for aviation-related businesses.
Phoenix’s Expanding Economic Horizon
The growth at Mesa Gateway Airport is a microcosm of the broader economic expansion occurring throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. The region is experiencing significant industrial development, particularly near Mesa Gateway, with a growth rate of 256% over the last five years. The booming semiconductor industry and related supplier facilities are set to create tens of thousands of jobs, attracting both population growth and new companies to the area. This robust economic activity, fueled by entrepreneurial innovation and strategic investments in infrastructure, positions Phoenix and its surrounding communities for continued prosperity.
Conclusion
Garmin’s new aviation facility at Mesa Gateway Airport is a testament to the thriving economic landscape and innovative spirit prevalent in the Phoenix region. This expansion, alongside ongoing private investments and strategic infrastructure development at the airport, reinforces Mesa’s position as a critical hub for the aviation industry. As the Greater Phoenix area continues to attract cutting-edge businesses and foster a supportive environment for growth, residents are encouraged to recognize and support the local enterprises that contribute to our shared economic future, ensuring sustained prosperity and opportunity for all.
Key Features of Garmin’s New Aviation Facility at Mesa Gateway Airport
| Feature | Detail | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Mesa Gateway Airport, Mesa, Arizona | Local |
| Purpose | Enhance aircraft certification and flight test operations | Local |
| Size | Approximately 75,000 square feet (two adjacent hangars and office space) | Local |
| Employee Capacity | Approximately 75 employees | Local |
| Runway Infrastructure | Three parallel runways, two over 10,000 feet in length | Local |
| Weather Conditions | Consistently clear year-round weather | Local |
| Job Creation | New employment opportunities in engineering, airworthiness approvals, and flight test roles | Local |
| Complementary Locations | Joins existing flight operations centers in New Century, Kansas, and Salem, Oregon | Nationwide |
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Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
