Williams Gateway Airport (IATA code WGA) is a commercial airport located in the southeastern area of Mesa, Arizona.
History
Williams Gateway Airport was built in 1941 and inaugurated in 1942 by the United States military as Williams Air Base. It served as a flight training field during World War II for military pilots. Military forces established a pilot school there, and many war airplanes that are now considered to be classics were seen there on a daily basis.
In 1992, it was decided that operating costs of the air base were too costly for the American government, and the base continued operating until 1993.
In 2002, it was decided that, with the growing traffic at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, an alternative airport would be needed in the area. The runway was expanded in order to accommodate jets, and the facility was reopened in 2003, as Williams Gateway Airport. Bids began to be made for some airlines to begin flights almost immediately.
In 2004, charter airline Ryan International Airlines began offering MD-82 jet flights from there to Bullhead City International Airport in Bullhead City, Arizona, which is adjacent to Laughlin, Nevada and many resorts.
Airlines
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