But can the tiny, charming airport keep its big personality?
Featured image credit: APK
Few airports mirror the essence of their surrounding city quite like Palm Springs International. However, fashion can no longer come at the price of function, as the city plans an aggressive expansion of the airport to the tune of $2.2 billion, greenlit by the city council on January 23. And while every effort will be made to maintain the historic charm of Palm Springs International Airport, a burgeoning tourism industry and population boom mean that any changes need to be big. And that’s one thing the airport is not.
The Need Isn’t Fast-Approaching. It’s Here.
While most regional airports have been struggling since the global COVID-19 pandemic, that’s never been the case with Palm Springs International Airport. In fact, the modestly sized airport is having trouble keeping up with a steadily increasing demand. The current design of the airport is capable of comfortably accommodating around 1.5 million passengers annually.
However, traffic through the airport was clocked at 3.2 million visitors in both 2023 and 2024. And by 2042, that figure is predicted to double to 6.4 million passengers in response to local tourism initiatives and housing development. In just the years spanning 2021 to 2024, Palm Springs’ population surged by a considerable five percent.
Preserving Donald Wexler’s Innovative Design
Naturally, planners are taking significant account of the distinctive design of Palm Springs International Airport. The central terminal, a Donald Wexler-designed structure, is preserved by its placement on the National Register of Historic Places. But official classifications aside, it’s also a beloved monument of the Palm Springs community since its official opening in 1966. Not to mention a heck of a first impression for visitors stepping off a plane into this mid-century wonderland for the first time.
Wexler, an acclaimed modernist architect, intended a basic “X” shaped design for Palm Springs International Airport; a liberating, open structure that would allow guests unobstructed views of the airport from its most central point. It magnified the emotional resonance of that introduction. Passengers who had spent hours cooped up in an airplane would suddenly feel the greeting of open vistas with scenic Palm Springs landscapes within view.
The challenge will be to maintain this personality amidst the ambitious (and much-needed) expansion. But can a quaint airport be supersized while still keeping its character? Trying to elevate a service experience presents a delicate balancing act against the airport’s mid-century beauty. But as the project enters its design phase in earnest, the Palm Springs City Council remains excited about its future.
The Unique Role of the Agua Caliente Band
Another factor in the future of Palm Springs International Airport is the influence of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. The airport stands on former tribal property. And though the airport is owned and operated by the city, the majority of the land surrounding the airport remains tribal land. This gives the Agua Caliente Band a significant amount of power in regards to the future direction of the project.
And as the largest hospitality employer in the Coachella Valley, the Agua Caliente Band has a vested interest in ensuring that it’s a bright future for visitors to the Palm Springs area. Tourism is a $9 billion a year industry in the Coachella Valley, so a successful expansion is crucial. In 2024, the airport emphasized this partnership when it unveiled the sign for the Agua Caliente Concourse, a renaming of the RJ Concourse.
The updated concourse could introduce displays highlighting the Indigenous peoples of the area, including authentic artifacts and art that emphasizes the cultural importance of the Agua Caliente Band. In addition, the Agua Caliente Band is working closely with airport staff and city planners to ensure a heightened guest experience.
Phases of the Palm Springs International Airport Expansion Project
Currently, the massive project is planned to be executed in two primary phases. The first phase of construction, estimated to cost $754 million, would include:
- Adding a north concourse
- Constructing a rental car area (with a designated section for hybrid rentals)
- Doubling the number of terminal gates from 18 to 32
- Establishing a federal inspection checkpoint (to expand international flight capabilities)
- Expanding the baggage claim area
The second phase of construction would bring the project to its $2.2 billion mark, and include:
- Adding a south concourse
- Building a rental car storage area
- Putting general improvements to the airfield in place
When Will We See the Updated Palm Springs International Airport?
While all of this is exciting news, there is one rather large catch: the city hasn’t figured out how to pay for the massive project. Whether the heavy lifting will come from the federal government, bonds, or a private financier remains to be seen. No matter where the money comes from, the next step will be an environmental analysis, which could take up to 18 months. Construction is slated to begin sometime in either 2027 or 2028, with the new terminals opening in 2030.
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