ULCC Allegiant Air is responding to high leisure demand by continuing to grow at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA), which is aiming to add five new gates by early 2024.

Las Vegas-based Allegiant’s latest new route from AZA will be service to Oregon's Portland International Airport (PDX). Flights will kick off Nov. 17, becoming the 47th route the airline serves from AZA. Allegiant generally operates routes around 2X-weekly, adjusted based on demand and time of year.

Allegiant has long operated to and from AZA—located in Mesa, Arizona. The airline sees the airport as a less crowded, more efficient alternative to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX), which is located 30 mi. west of AZA. The only other carrier serving AZA is Sun Country Airlines, which operates seasonal flights between Mesa and its base at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP).

Allegiant says it is continuing “to see historically high demand from leisure travelers” and is adding routes accordingly. The growth at AZA has been steady, enabling the airport to have the busiest year in its history. 

AZA reports it handled 1.9 million passengers in its fiscal year ending June 30, up 5.6% over the 12 months to June 30, 2022, and the most ever at the airport. “Seven of 12 months had record-setting passenger activity,” AZA says in a statement.

To keep up with growth, AZA is in the midst of building a 30,000-ft.² addition to its passenger terminal, which will include five new gates. The airport currently has nine gates.

Also part of the terminal addition will be an enclosed pedestrian walkway connecting the airline check-in area to security screening. The addition is expected to open in early 2024.