Allegiant Airlines announced nonstop service from Mesa to Hawaii starting early next year. As KJZZ’s Peter O’Dowd reports, it’s part of continued expansion at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport.

PETER O’DOWD: You can fly to Honolulu from Mesa three times a week, starting in February. Allegiant announced the flights Tuesday. For the first time in the airport’s history, a commercial airline will use Boeing 757s. Mesa Mayor Scott Smith says the service is a big deal for the city.

SCOTT SMITH: But it’s also a big deal for Gateway Airport, because it’s another milestone for an airport that literally less than five years ago had no commercial air traffic and now is serving well over 100 cities.

O’DOWD: The airport is in the process of expanding, which will add two additional gates. Frontier Airlines will start service from Mesa in November. Peter O’Dowd, KJZZ News.