FAA Proposes Airspace Tweaks Over Phoenix and Chandler
Published Date: 12/18/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants to update the airspace rules around Chandler and Phoenix, AZ, by changing Class D airspace and creating new Class E airspace to keep flights safe and smooth. They’re also updating the name and location info for Mesa Gateway Airport. Pilots, airlines, and local communities should know these changes could affect flight paths starting after February 2, 2026, with no extra costs expected.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Chandler Class D Airspace Expanded
The FAA proposes to expand Chandler Municipal Airport's Class D airspace radius from 4.0 miles to 4.8 miles and raise the vertical limit from 3,000 feet MSL to 3,700 feet MSL. The proposal also removes Williams Gateway Airport from the exclusion, adds a new exclusion west of 111°53'41" W, and updates the legal header and the term "Chart Supplement." These changes are part of a biennial review to support IFR operations and could affect local flight paths (comments due February 2, 2026).
Mesa Gateway Class D Changes and Renaming
The FAA proposes to amend Mesa Gateway Airport's Class D airspace by increasing the radius from 5.0 miles to 5.4 miles and setting the surface-to-3,900 feet MSL vertical limit, while adding exclusion areas for Chandler Municipal Airport, a 1.2-mile Pegasus Airpark radius, and Phoenix Class B airspace. The proposal also updates the airport name from Williams Gateway Airport to Mesa Gateway Airport and updates its geographic coordinates to match the FAA database. These changes support IFR operations and are part of a biennial airspace review (comments due February 2, 2026).
New Class E at Stellar Airpark
The FAA proposes to establish Class E airspace at Stellar Airpark, Chandler, AZ, extending upward from 700 feet above the surface within a 13.9-mile radius of the airport. This new Class E area is intended to support IFR operations and align with the FAA's biennial airspace review. The change could affect flight procedures for the area and is part of the proposal with comments due by February 2, 2026.
New Class E at Mesa Gateway (Complex Area)
The FAA proposes to establish Class E airspace at Mesa Gateway Airport, Phoenix, AZ, extending upward from 700 feet within a 7.9-mile radius and within specified corridors along the 136° bearing out to 17.7 and 12.6 miles southeast of the airport. The intended purpose is to support IFR operations and conform to FAA airspace orders as part of a biennial review. These changes could alter IFR flight procedures in the affected airspace and are included in the proposal with comments due February 2, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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