Mesa's "Economic Reporter"

[Jeff D. Welker]

Below are some quotes from Mesa's most recent economic newsletter. It is called the "Economic Reporter". Remember, this newsletter is a form of "spin" being produced by Mesa to paint a rosey economic outlook. That being said, these particular aviation related issues appear ligit. I thought the AzAP folks might find this information interesting.

Boeing expands operations in Mesa - "Known for production of the AH-64 Apache helicopter, Boeing added a new headquarters to its Mesa campus for research, development and production of sophisticated unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The expansion includes development of drones with military and civilian applications such as search-and-rescue, fire and crop monitoring, and homeland security border surveillance, human systems interfacing, and the capability of pilots to control unmanned aircraft from the Apache helicopter. Boeing officials also expect to see further synergy between the UAS systems development and the Apache helicopter. Boeing and other companies in Mesa are positioned well to maximize opportunities as global UAS spending is expected to total more than $94 billion in the next 10 years".

MD Helicopters - "In September, 45 days ahead of schedule, MD Helicopters delivered the first of six MD 530F Helicopters to the Department of the Army Rotary Wing Primary Training Aircraft after being awarded a $186 million contact for as many as 54 aircraft to be used in training missions in Afghanistan. During the presentation of the keys ceremony at MD Helicopters' Falcon Field facility, Major General Tim Crosby, the Army's program executive officer for aviation, praised the company and the employees for the unexpected early completion. Company officials believe the Army contract could lead to additional defense contracts for the company".

Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport grows service, designation - "With service to nearly 1 million passengers this year, Gateway is now the nation's fastest-growing commercial-service airport among those with traffic above 300,000 enplanements a year. Beginning calendar year 2012, Gateway will officially be designated as a "small hub airport" – increasing the likelihood of recruiting a second or third airline, which would quickly multiply the number of destinations and passengers and move Gateway toward a medium hub designation like Tucson International. Additional infrastructure is also planned for the airport. The Gateway Board recently approved a $10.5 million expansion of the passenger terminal, the fourth expansion project since 2008".

Allegiant adds routes - "Allegiant has added Duluth, MN, Appleton, WI, and Las Vegas, NV, to the growing number of cities it serves nonstop from the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport. Service to Duluth begins October 21; Appleton, November 10; and Las Vegas, November 17, 2011. The expanding service is testament to Allegiant's continued confidence in the market demand".