Garmin Launches Aviation Facility at Gateway Airport
Garmin aviation facility at Mesa Gateway Airport.

Photo provided by Garmin International, Inc.

Supporting Garmin’s Growing Aviation Business

Garmin announced the acquisition of a hangar and office complex at Mesa Gateway Airport. The site expands capacity for aircraft certification and flight testing. This facility includes two adjacent hangars totaling about 75,000 square feet, with office space for roughly 75 employees.

Mesa Gateway Airport offers three parallel runways, including two longer than 10,000 feet. Combined with year-round favorable weather, the airport supports efficient flight operations. In addition, the Mesa site joins Garmin’s existing flight operations centers in Kansas and Oregon.

Metro Phoenix has been a long-standing Garmin engineering hub for more than 25 years. Operations began in Tempe, later expanded to Chandler, and grew again with the acquisition of AeroData in Scottsdale. The new Mesa location strengthens this regional network and supports continued hiring for engineering, serviceability, airworthiness, and flight test teams.

Garmin is pleased to announce that it has acquired a hangar and office complex at the Mesa Gateway airport in Mesa, Arizona (KIWA). This new facility space will expand the company’s capacity for its aircraft certification and flight test organizations.

“We are excited to add another aviation facility to our business. The capabilities this location will provide are instrumental in extending aircraft airworthiness approvals and market coverage for our product lines. This expansion represents Garmin’s continued investment in infrastructure that supports growth and innovation in our aviation business segment.”
–Phil Straub, Garmin Executive Vice President Managing Director Aviation

The facility consists of two adjacent hangars of approximately 75,000 total square feet which includes office space that can accommodate approximately 75 associates. The Mesa Gateway Airport has three parallel runways, two of which are over 10,000 feet in length. This overall infrastructure, along with generally clear weather throughout the year, provides an ideal flight operations setting. This new Mesa location joins Garmin’s two existing flight operations centers in New Century, Kansas and Salem, Oregon. Additionally, Mesa Gateway is home to numerous aviation companies, including customer support/service centers of three major aircraft manufacturers – further underscoring the value of the community and location.

The Phoenix area has served as a Garmin engineering hub for over 25 years, initially with a facility in Tempe, and later moving to a larger facility in Chandler. More recently, Garmin further expanded its footprint to Scottsdale after acquiring AeroData in 2019. The proximity of these locations provides support and infrastructure as Garmin continues to grow. The additional facility and expanded operations will allow Garmin to hire experienced associates for the engineering, aircraft airworthiness approvals and flight test teams in Mesa.

Sponsor Members

About Garmin International, Inc.

Garmin International, Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland. Its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Garmin is a registered trademark of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. The company’s products and services have revolutionized flight and become essential to the lives of pilots and aircraft owners and operators around the world. A leading provider of solutions to general aviation, business aviation, rotorcraft, advanced air mobility, government and defense, and commercial air carrier customers, Garmin believes every day is an opportunity to innovate. Garmin developed the world’s first certified autonomous system that activates during an emergency to control and land an aircraft without human intervention.

About Mesa Gateway Airport

Located in southeast Mesa, Mesa Gateway Airport contributes roughly $1.8 billion annually to the local economy and supports over 10,000 jobs. It is a key hub for Allegiant Air, offering nonstop flights to over 45 destinations, featuring 10 passenger gates and three long runways. The airport has been a magnet for technology, distribution, and manufacturing, attracting millions of square feet of development to the area. It is an aerospace hub and home to companies such as Embraer, Gulfstream, and Textron Aviation. Gateway is also advancing a long-term master plan update. Plans could include relocating the passenger terminal to the east side of the airfield.

Share...

Sponsor Members

Receive Metro Phoenix Business News in your email...
✔ Weekly Updates     ✔ Local Insights      ✔ No SPAM

Tag Cloud

Add as a preferred source on Google
Metro Phoenix Alliance Member Directory Map

Phoenix-based medical technology company EmeraNova ( @emera.nova ) has launched Catalyst, a four-month accelerator that helps healthcare startups bring new treatments and technologies to market. The program targets medtech, biotech, and pharmaceutical companies developing advanced wound care and tissue restoration solutions. Catalyst offers mentorship, technical evaluation, business development, and investment opportunities. Participants will assess their technologies, develop commercialization strategies, strengthen investor presentations, and prepare for regulatory and clinical requirements. The program concludes with a Demo Day, where startups will present their innovations to EmeraNova executives, partners, and investors. Selected ventures may receive investments of up to $200,000. #emeranova #phoenixaz #catalyst #medtech #metrophx
@honeywell_aero announced plans to invest $500 million in a new 300,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Tempe. The expansion will help the company meet growing demand from commercial aviation and defense customers. The advanced facility will feature robotics, automated inspections, digital production systems, and digital twin technology. These capabilities will improve manufacturing efficiency and support next-generation aerospace technologies.

Located near the Honeywell Aerospace global headquarters in Phoenix, the facility will expand precision machining capabilities and strengthen supply chains. It will also increase production of advanced systems, including Assure actuation systems and Attune cooling subsystems. The expansion will support existing customer programs, $15 billion in new Control Systems program awards, and critical defense technologies.

Honeywell Aerospace expects to open the facility in late 2028. The investment will eventually create approximately 600 permanent jobs and expand the company’s skilled workforce. Additionally, construction will support more than 1,000 local jobs, providing a significant economic boost to @tempegov. #honeywellaerospace #tempeaz #advancedmanufacturing #silicondesert #metrophx #metrophoenix
@apple announced new and expanded partnerships with American manufacturers that supply essential materials and components for the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro. U.S. companies produce nearly 100 components for these devices, including wireless chips and advanced processors. Apple’s supply chain spans more than a dozen states and continues to expand. Major partnerships include TSMC in Phoenix and @amkortechnology in Peoria. #phxaz #peoriaz #amkor #silicondesert #metrophx
According to @azcommerce, a delegation of more than 30 Arizona legislative, business and economic development leaders completed a four-day trade mission to Ireland. The visit focused on expanding partnerships in high-tech industries, research, innovation and workforce development. Arizona and Ireland share strengths in semiconductors, medical technology, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, pharmaceuticals and clean energy. Trade between Arizona and Ireland exceeded $850 million in 2025.

The delegation met with officials from the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and IDA Ireland. Members also visited Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin to discuss research and workforce partnerships. At Intel Ireland, the group toured a campus that employs nearly 5,000 people and includes Fab 34, Europe’s first high-volume semiconductor facility to use Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. Intel’s Fab 52 in Chandler also uses EUV technology and will manufacture Intel 18A chips, highlighting the semiconductor connections between Arizona and Ireland.

Additional visits included the Guinness Enterprise Centre, Enterprise Ireland and a roundtable hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland. The delegation also visited the Irish Parliament in Dublin, where lawmakers formally recognized the Arizona group during a parliamentary session. #ireland #irishdelegation #trademission #silicondesert #metrophx
Cyclic Materials opened its first commercial-scale rare earth magnet recycling facility in @cityofmesa, strengthening the domestic supply of rare earth elements and critical minerals. The company invested more than $30 million in the 144,000-square-foot facility, which will initially create more than 25 jobs. The plant can process up to 25,000 metric tons of end-of-life products containing magnets each year. Cyclic Materials will recover rare earth magnet concentrate through its Mag-Xtract™ process, along with critical materials such as copper, aluminum and steel. Federal, state and local leaders joined company executives to celebrate the facility’s grand opening. #cyclicmaterials #silicondesert #mesaaz #advancedmanufacturing #metrophx
Heritage Park (@heritageparkgilbert), a new mixed-use destination taking shape in (@downtowngilbertaz) Gilbert’s Heritage District, has announced its first five tenants. The lineup includes Arizona’s first Popup Bagels (@popupbagels), along with La La Land, Hudson House, Salt & Straw, and @solidcore. Construction continues across the development, with the first businesses expected to open in the second quarter of 2027. #gilbertaz #heritagedistrict #heritagepark #townofgilbert #metrophx
Scottsdale-based @barrett_jackson has launched Digital Select Auctions, a premium online marketplace for curated collector vehicles. The platform allows enthusiasts worldwide to bid during exclusive, timed digital auctions. Barrett-Jackson will oversee each transaction, including holding the money and vehicle title, to provide buyers and sellers with greater confidence. The company will also verify completed sales and apply its auction expertise to the process. The first Digital Select Auction will run Nov. 5-12 at Barrett-Jackson.com. #barrettjackson #autoauction #automobilia #scottsdaleaz #metrophx
The Metro Phoenix housing market continues to earn national recognition, with five Valley cities ranking among the country’s 50 best real estate markets, according to a new @wallethub analysis. The Best Real Estate Markets 2026 report determines the best local real estate markets in the U.S. WalletHub compared 300 cities of varying sizes across 17 key indicators of housing-market attractiveness and economic strength. The study places Gilbert at 13, followed by Surprise at 27, Peoria at 42, Tempe at 46 and Chandler at 50.
#metrophx #realestatemarket2026 #gilbertaz #surpriseaz #peoriaaz
Phoenix-based medical technology company EmeraNova ( @emera.nova ) has launched Catalyst, a four-month accelerator that helps healthcare startups bring new treatments and technologies to market. The program targets medtech, biotech, and pharmaceutical companies developing advanced wound care and tissue restoration solutions. Catalyst offers mentorship, technical evaluation, business development, and investment opportunities. Participants will assess their technologies, develop commercialization strategies, strengthen investor presentations, and prepare for regulatory and clinical requirements. The program concludes with a Demo Day, where startups will present their innovations to EmeraNova executives, partners, and investors. Selected ventures may receive investments of up to $200,000. #emeranova #phoenixaz #catalyst #medtech #metrophx
@honeywell_aero announced plans to invest $500 million in a new 300,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Tempe. The expansion will help the company meet growing demand from commercial aviation and defense customers. The advanced facility will feature robotics, automated inspections, digital production systems, and digital twin technology. These capabilities will improve manufacturing efficiency and support next-generation aerospace technologies.

Located near the Honeywell Aerospace global headquarters in Phoenix, the facility will expand precision machining capabilities and strengthen supply chains. It will also increase production of advanced systems, including Assure actuation systems and Attune cooling subsystems. The expansion will support existing customer programs, $15 billion in new Control Systems program awards, and critical defense technologies.

Honeywell Aerospace expects to open the facility in late 2028. The investment will eventually create approximately 600 permanent jobs and expand the company’s skilled workforce. Additionally, construction will support more than 1,000 local jobs, providing a significant economic boost to @tempegov. #honeywellaerospace #tempeaz #advancedmanufacturing #silicondesert #metrophx #metrophoenix
@apple announced new and expanded partnerships with American manufacturers that supply essential materials and components for the iPhone Duo and iPhone 18 Pro. U.S. companies produce nearly 100 components for these devices, including wireless chips and advanced processors. Apple’s supply chain spans more than a dozen states and continues to expand. Major partnerships include TSMC in Phoenix and @amkortechnology in Peoria. #phxaz #peoriaz #amkor #silicondesert #metrophx
According to @azcommerce, a delegation of more than 30 Arizona legislative, business and economic development leaders completed a four-day trade mission to Ireland. The visit focused on expanding partnerships in high-tech industries, research, innovation and workforce development. Arizona and Ireland share strengths in semiconductors, medical technology, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, pharmaceuticals and clean energy. Trade between Arizona and Ireland exceeded $850 million in 2025.

The delegation met with officials from the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and IDA Ireland. Members also visited Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin to discuss research and workforce partnerships. At Intel Ireland, the group toured a campus that employs nearly 5,000 people and includes Fab 34, Europe’s first high-volume semiconductor facility to use Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. Intel’s Fab 52 in Chandler also uses EUV technology and will manufacture Intel 18A chips, highlighting the semiconductor connections between Arizona and Ireland.

Additional visits included the Guinness Enterprise Centre, Enterprise Ireland and a roundtable hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland. The delegation also visited the Irish Parliament in Dublin, where lawmakers formally recognized the Arizona group during a parliamentary session. #ireland #irishdelegation #trademission #silicondesert #metrophx
Cyclic Materials opened its first commercial-scale rare earth magnet recycling facility in @cityofmesa, strengthening the domestic supply of rare earth elements and critical minerals. The company invested more than $30 million in the 144,000-square-foot facility, which will initially create more than 25 jobs. The plant can process up to 25,000 metric tons of end-of-life products containing magnets each year. Cyclic Materials will recover rare earth magnet concentrate through its Mag-Xtract™ process, along with critical materials such as copper, aluminum and steel. Federal, state and local leaders joined company executives to celebrate the facility’s grand opening. #cyclicmaterials #silicondesert #mesaaz #advancedmanufacturing #metrophx
Heritage Park (@heritageparkgilbert), a new mixed-use destination taking shape in (@downtowngilbertaz) Gilbert’s Heritage District, has announced its first five tenants. The lineup includes Arizona’s first Popup Bagels (@popupbagels), along with La La Land, Hudson House, Salt & Straw, and @solidcore. Construction continues across the development, with the first businesses expected to open in the second quarter of 2027. #gilbertaz #heritagedistrict #heritagepark #townofgilbert #metrophx
Metro Phoenix Alliance Member Directory Map