Bear Down Bound

 New Partnership Encourages Wildcats to Travel from TUS

By Loni Nannini

A strategic partnership between University of Arizona and TAA is encouraging Wildcats to take off from TUS.

“The goal of the partnership is to further cement the importance the University of Arizona holds to the Tucson International Airport. One of the strategic imperatives of the University is engagement that strengthens the community and this is a living, breathing demonstration of that strategic imperative where we want to be an active contributor to the economic success of the region,” said Courtney Spector, director of strategic partnerships at U of A. 

“From the University of Arizona side, we know the health of the airport strengthens all of us..and we want to be the tailwind behind them.”

Launched in the summer of 2024, the initiative promotes “Fly Tucson First,” touting the convenience and proximity of TUS to U of A students and their families, along with faculty and staff. 

Spearheaded by the TAA in partnership with U of A central marketing, the campaign has extended campus-wide to campus tours; new student services; parent and family programs; fraternity and sorority programs; housing and residential life; alumni engagement and more. Recently, it has focused on prospective students prior to their first campus visits. 

“We have this beautiful and convenient airport that is eight miles away from campus. . .and we want to create almost a muscle memory for future students so when they enroll at the University of Arizona, TUS is the airport of choice every single time,” said Spector. 

That choice is made easier by the partnership’s complimentary airport Lyft service to and from campus (a NetID is required).

“We wanted to eliminate potential barriers of transportation and parking, and create a more convenient way to get to the airport for students, faculty, and staff. The Lyft rides are a big hit and a huge benefit,” said Spector. 

The partnership also promotes TUS during back-to-school, family weekend, homecoming, holidays,  commencement, and other high-travel periods.  

Back-to-school travel through TUS increased 7% year-over-year from 2024 to 2025, and the goal is to build on that momentum, according to Austin Wright, TAA’s chief communications officer.

Future plans include airport messaging from U of A administrators and athletics and increased promotion of U of A special events. 

“The University of Arizona has had an interest in deepening our relationship with the Tucson Airport Authority  for many years. It is a relationship that is not transactional, but a true partnership in that, together, we can make each other better,” said Spector.

“That is at the basis of this partnership. We know we can both strengthen the Tucson community we serve by working more collaboratively, and we think the sky is the limit.” 

Pictured above – Austin Wright, Chief Communications Officer, Tucson Airport Authority; Courtney Spector, Director of Strategic Partnerships, University of Arizona. Photo by Brent G. Mathis

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