Arizona’s global trade relationships, its ability to effectively support existing markets and the capacity to capture new markets are key to the continued economic development of the state. SkyBridge will not only increase Arizona’s position to compete on a worldwide scale and further promote Arizona as an exceptional place to do business, but it will also serve as a compelling model for future developments nationwide to enhance global trade.

By transforming the profile of Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport from a convenient regional transportation hub to a powerful economic engine, SkyBridge promises true regional growth and translates to increased revenues for the area’s neighboring cities and local businesses.

Project developers estimate that more that 17,000 new direct and indirect jobs will be created as a result of SkyBridge at full operation. Nearly 7,000 of these jobs will be directly employed on site, 2,400 of them being in construction alone.

From an operational standpoint, an increase in yearly cargo flights will also bring more revenue to the area. With the addition of SkyBridge, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport anticipates an initial increase of 100 to 200 additional cargo flights per year. These additional flights per year will benefit local and state treasuries through increased taxes and fees.

On a regional scale, Arizona currently outweighs all of its Southwest neighbors in air freight traffic by nearly 20% per year, and with SkyBridge those numbers will only go up. SkyBridge expects to capture 5% of the Southwest export market to Mexico by 2025, representing $650 million annually. Revenues generated through local taxes and fees will support airport maintenance, emergency responders and other operational costs.

SkyBridge’s build-out plan also includes improvements to infrastructure around Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport including water, sewer and power expansion, and vital water retention basins for seasonal rains that protect city and county assets. These plans for infrastructure will generate hundreds of more local jobs.