Palm Springs Airport Commission approves plan for runway updates and improvements

The Palm Springs Airport Commission convened on March 20 for a regular session that put the future of the airport’s runways into sharp focus. Commissioners voted to recommend that the Airport Master Plan Airside conceptual development plan be presented to city council for approval.

Representatives from Mead and Hunt, an architecture and engineering firm, presented an update on the airside alternatives for the airport master plan, which is pivotal for meeting Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) design standards and accommodating critical aircraft.

The commission was briefed on three primary runway alternatives and general aviation runway alternatives. Additionally, commissioners learned about a taxiway alternative that will address what are known as “hotspots,” or areas at higher risk of an aircraft incident. 

The runways are being updated for several reasons, said Stephanie Nikho with Mead and Hunt. “We have to do three things: meet FAA design standards, accommodate critical aircraft, and meet the needs and wants of stakeholders,” she said. 

The critical aircraft at Palm Springs is identified as the Boeing 737 Max 9, which necessitates specific design considerations for the runways.

The primary runway alternative recommended by Mead and Hunt involves applying for a modification of standards with the FAA, which would allow an existing service road to remain in place without compromising safety or efficiency. 

For the general aviation runway, the preferred alternative would add an extension to the north end of the runway. This would minimize the impact on existing operations and accommodate smaller jets and midsize jets that require additional runway length.

Taxiway improvements were also part of the master plan update. The single taxiway alternative presented aims to correct various geometry issues that will make it easier for pilots to differentiate between a taxiway and a runway and align the taxiway with new FAA standards. 

The commission voted to recommend that the updated airside conceptual development plan be presented to the city council for approval. The plan will eventually be sent to the FAA for approval. The airport plans to hold an open house some time in June to present the plan to the public.

Now, those working on the airport master plan update can begin creating a project list that encompasses everything discussed and will make recommendations on when the projects should be completed, in what order, and how to pay for them.

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