New 2026 Airport Fee Structure Could Reshape Flight-School Economics in Popular Arizona Flight Training Hub

Arizona, USA – Falcon Field Airport (FFZ) in Mesa, one of the Phoenix area’s busiest general aviation and training hubs, is moving forward with a proposed landing-fee and charges overhaul that could materially impact the operating economics of the 15 flight schools based on the field and, by extension, pilot training capacity in the region.

• The City of Mesa has indicated that proposed changes to Falcon Field’s fee schedule will be presented to the city council on 9 February 2026, with a formal notice of intent expected in advance and seven virtual information sessions planned for December and January.

• Under the proposal, based aircraft under 6,000 lbs would receive five free landings per month, after which a fee of USD 29.95 per landing would apply; itinerant aircraft under 6,000 lbs would pay USD 33.95 per landing, while heavier aircraft would be charged on a per-1,000-lb basis.

• The structure is accompanied by increases to hangar and tie-down rents, storage and security deposits, and a fuel flowage fee adjustment from USD 0.14 to USD 0.15 per gallon.

• Airport management cites long-term budget projections and unfunded maintenance obligations as key drivers, despite Falcon Field currently being self-sustaining and recently receiving more than USD 655,000 in FAA Airport Infrastructure Grants, supplemented by state funding, for taxiway, runway and service road works.

• The proposal also follows increased neighbourhood complaints related to noise and lead emissions and the formation of a city stakeholder group to examine training activity and potential mitigation measures.

• Flight training operators are expected to bear the brunt of the new structure due to high touch-and-go utilisation, raising concerns about school viability, possible relocation to other airports and knock-on effects for the regional training pipeline and airspace safety.

Source: City of Mesa communications