Two flight schools in a federal lawsuit are accusing Mesa of faking a financial crisis at Falcon Field Airport to address noise complaints from residents living nearby.
CAE Aviation Academy Phoenix and Thrust Flight Properties schools, which comprise over half of the touchdowns at Falcon Field are suing to stop city-imposed landing fees from taking effect July 30.
Mesa in a statement said the lawsuit over the city’s first-ever landing fees lacks legal merit.
“The City will continue to defend the legality and necessity of the landing fees, which are intended to help cover the costs of operating, maintaining, and improving Falcon Field Airport Airport and to support the Airport’s long-term financial sustainability,” the statement read, adding that it has hired outside counsel experienced in airport law to defend against the suit…