The Palm Springs International Airport master plan process reached a major milestone in January, as the Palm Springs City Council selected a concept for the future development of the airport terminal.
In the fall of 2023, airport staff, along with the Airport Master Plan Working Group, the Airport Commission, and the community, weighed in on four possible directions (“alternatives”) for the terminal. The alternatives ranged from expanding and using the existing facility (Alternative 1A) to developing an entirely new terminal to the south of the airport (Alternative 3). After a public open house, community survey, and several meetings with airport stakeholders, the Airport Commission narrowed down the concepts, presenting two alternatives to the City Council. On January 25, the City Council approved the Airport Commission’s recommendation to proceed with terminal concept Alternative 1A.
Considered the “maximum reuse” alternative, Alternative 1A has been unanimously supported by the airlines as a way to minimize costs and disruptions to operations during construction. Alternative 1A was also a popular choice for the community, many of whom want to continue using the historic Wexler terminal building as the entrance to the airport. In addition to reutilizing the Wexler and Bono facilities, the concept proposes adding more airline gates via new pier extensions both north and south of the Bono Concourse, developing a consolidated rental car (CONRAC) facility, and establishing a Federal Inspection Service (U.S. Customs) to process international flights.
While the City Council’s vote means the Airport Master Plan will move forward using this terminal concept, it is important to note that the master plan is not binding and does not commit the City to begin development.
The selection of the terminal concept keeps the airport master planning process progressing on schedule. The Airport Master Plan team is currently working on alternatives for the airfield, and hopes to provide those alternatives for public feedback this spring.
Visit the program’s document library to find more information about the terminal alternatives, draft project chapters, and additional resources.
