Tucson Association of REALTOR
Danette Bewley
President/CEO
March 27, 2026
Tucson International Airport
4.0
Million Annual Passengers
72
Peak Daily Departures
19
Nonstop Destinations
7
Airlines
Infrastructure |Airfield Safety Enhancement(ASE)Project
Infrastructure | Airfield Safety Enhancement Program
,
ASE Program | Current Progress Picture
,
Checked Baggage Inspection System Project | Enabling Project for Future Terminal Modernization
Checked Baggage Inspection System (CBIS) Design
,
CBIS Design
,
2025 – 2029
Estimated $1.9M for design grant funding for CBIS Project
Estimated $28.5M for construction grant funding for CBIS Project
Total Project Cost forecasted at $90M
Future Terminal Modernization (Concept)
,
2030 – 2040
Estimated $1.1B
(in 2023 dollars) for project
Funding sources have not been formalized
Air Service Development
Tucson Market Overview
When local service is available, Tucson passengers have demonstrated that they will not drive to Phoenix as frequently.
When TUS has appropriate service levels (LAX), leakage is below 20%.
When TUS does not have nonstop service and PHX does, leakage can exceed 75%.
TUS marketing is focused on TUS’ ease of use, the benefits of using the local airport, consumer promotions, and business commitments and incentives.
Source: Airline Data, Inc.
PHX 33%
TUS 64%
AZA
3%
TUS Leaks One-Third of Its Traffic to PHX
Originating Airport for Tucson Catchment Area Passengers
Calendar Year 2025
Phoenix Leakage
Source: Airline Data, Inc.
TUS Still Commands High Fares
Average One-Way Fare; Lower 48 Small/Medium Hubs
1H 2025
Fare Performance (Small/Medium)
Source: Airline Data, Inc.
TUS Still Has the Highest Average Fare Of Peer Airports in the Western US
Average One-Way Fare
1H 2025
Fare Performance (Western US)
Source: Airline Data, Inc. DOT T100, Scheduled Service
Despite Slightly Higher Fares and Capacity Increases, TUS Still Enjoys Solid Load Factors
Average Load Factor at Western US Small and Medium Hub Airports
January-October 2025
AVERAGE = 76.3%
Load Factors
Source: Airline Data, Inc.
TUS Fare Premium vs. PHX Reverted to Normal As Capacity Rose
TUS vs. PHX Fare Premium
Source: Carrier Reports
Load Factors Have Recovered After Capacity Changes
TUS Average Load Factor
Load Factor Changes
Source: Airline Data, Inc.
TUS Seasonality is Similar to PHX and Much Less than PSP
TUS/PHX/PSP O&D Passengers: Quarterly Index
Market Seasonality
20
TUS Has The Most O&D Traffic with No East Coast Nonstops-
Not Even Taking Leakage Into Account
The Tucson Catchment Area’s Top Unserved O&D True Passenger Markets
12 Months Ending June 2025
Source: Airline Data, Inc.
East Coast Focus
Source: Airline Data, Inc.
Some Existing Routes are Still Underserved
TUS Average Load Factor by Market and Carrier
Twelve Months Ending October 2025
Existing Route Growth Focus
Airlines at TUS
,
Economic Development
AERONAUTICAL DEVELOPMENT
AERONAUTICAL DEVELOPMENT
“Project Penny”
AERONAUTICAL DEVELOPMENT
“Project ETF”
AERONAUTICAL DEVELOPMENT
“Project Hank”
“Project Million Air”
“Project All-In”
AERONAUTICAL DEVELOPMENT
Facility Lease
Non-Aeronautical Development
,
Non-Aeronautical Development
,
“Project Starting Gate”
Non-Aeronautical Development
,
Project Strata / Project Jupiter
Non-Aeronautical Development
,
“Project Lasso”
Non-Aeronautical Development
,
“Project Farm”
Non-Aeronautical Development
,
Raytheon Expansion
Thank You!