Airport Operations

Scottsdale Airport is a general aviation reliever facility that is owned and operated by the City of Scottsdale.

Approximately 152,568 takeoffs and landings occurred in 2014, making Scottsdale one of the busiest corporate jet facilities in the state.

Nearly 370 aircraft are based at Scottsdale Airport, from single engine recreational planes to numerous corporate jets. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection service provided every day from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

U.S. Customs “US-VISIT” is available, and allows visitors from all over the world to come to Scottsdale, provided they have the proper visas.  

The City of Scottsdale Aviation Department is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of the airport facility (runways, taxiways, lighting, safety areas, etc.).  

The City promotes noise abatement procedures set by the FAA and compatible land development through zoning for development within the Airport Influence Area.

The Federal Aviation Administration is responsible for managing air traffic and implementing air traffic related noise abatement procedures.

Economic Impact

Aviation activity at the airport and airpark created $536 million in total economic benefits for the region in FY 2014. The spin-off or catalytic benefit encompassing the entire airpark’s economic benefit is $8.2 billion per year.  Additionally, there are more than 1,400 aviation-related jobs on the airport and in the airpark.  (City of Scottsdale Economic Benefit Analysis, 2014)

Scottsdale Airport operates as an enterprise fund with the city and functions self-sufficiently without any general fund subsidy.

The Scottsdale Airpark – the business and industrial area around the airport – is the second largest employment center in the state of Arizona.  Properties in the airpark are privately owned and can access the airport through secured gates with proper permission from the airport.

Airport Facts & Figures

Scottsdale Airport facilities are contained on more than 300 acres of land in the north central part of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Runway: 03/21, 8,249 feet long, 100 feet wide.

The airport can accept aircraft weighing up to 100,000 lbs.  

Scottsdale Airport has numerous corporate aircraft hangars, T Shades, and tie downs. 

City of Scottsdale Aviation Department employs 14 people.

With an average median temperature of 70 degrees, Scottsdale provides the country’s best year-around flying conditions. 

Pilots enjoy an average of 360 days a year using Visual Flight Rules (VFR). 

In 2013, 8.8 million gallons of fuel were dispensed.

The Airport Advisory Commission is a citizen advisory board appointed by the City Council to review and offer recommendations on policy matters relating to the operation of the airport, proposals for development, airport area land use, fees and safety concerns.

Scottsdale Airport History

Scottsdale Airport began in June 22, 1942, as Thunderbird Field II, a basic training facility for World War II Army Air Corps pilots.

In 1966, the City of Scottsdale acquired the airfield from the Arizona Conference of Seventh Day Adventists.

The first fixed base operator was selected in April 1967.

The first business jets landed at Scottsdale Airport in August 1967.

The first airpark tenant, Casa Precision, broke ground for its first building unit in August 1968.

In 1995, the Arizona Department of Transportation presented Scottsdale with the Arizona Airport of the Year award.