Air Travelers Returning to Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport

Like the rest of the aviation industry, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport saw a near disappearance of passenger traffic due to the COVID-19 outbreak. When compared to the same months a year before, passenger traffic at the airport was down 93% in April and 61% in May respectively. This trend mirrored airport activity throughout the country as people stayed home and elected officials tried to mitigate the spread of the virus. However, beginning in June, Gateway Airport started to reverse that trend and has continued to show significant gains in passenger activity throughout the summer. In August, the Airport was down 35% when compared to last year. In fact, more travelers passed through Gateway Airport this Labor Day Weekend than last year, a statistic that was not seen at other airports nationwide. 

“Gateway Airport and Allegiant have done a good job ensuring that high touch areas in the terminal remain clean, passengers wear masks, and everyone respects social distancing,” said Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport Executive Director and CEO J. Brian O’Neill A.A.E. “Our Stay Healthy Fly Safe initiative has helped stop the spread of COVID-19 and helped build consumer confidence in the safety of air travel.” 

Allegiant Air, Gateway Airport’s predominant air carrier, serves more than 45 nonstop destinations from greater Phoenix and welcomed approximately 1.8 million passengers in 2019. Airline industry experts predict that leisure travel will be the first segment to rebound, with frequent-flying business travelers and international markets lagging. Anecdotally, many Gateway Airport passengers have expressed appreciation for how the Airport responded to the COVID-19 crisis and are very excited about Allegiant’s record low fares — select destinations as low as $29 each way. 

Allegiant continues to show a growing commitment to the Greater Phoenix region, adding dozens of new nonstop routes during the past two years. The airline recently announced a new route beginning Nov. 19 between Gateway Airport and Santa Maria, California. This new route will connect visitors to the Santa Maria wine country just outside of Santa Barbara, great hiking, and other popular activities along the Pacific Coast.