Gateway Airport

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport is the Valley's second busiest airport.

The Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport has been getting steadily busier — and that trend is set to continue. The Valley’s no. 2 airport will soon be adding three new carriers, as well.

That will bring its total up to five, the most the East Valley airport has ever had.

Spokesperson Ryan Smith said the added companies are small, low-cost airlines, serving both the U.S. and Canada.

“We’re not like to have a Southwest or an American, because they have their major hubs, there at Sky Harbor, but we certainly are a complement to them,” he said, “and with the growing East Valley, we certainly are an alternative for travel.”

It’s an alternative many people are taking. Smith says the airport has had 12 straight months of growing passenger numbers — and five straight months of record numbers.

“We will likely surpass our best year ever,” he said. “We’ll surpass a million and a half passengers this year, and growth projections for the next 12 months are very strong.”

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway will soon offer nearly 50 non-stop destinations, from St. George, Utah, to Winnipeg, Canada.