Palm Springs Airport on track for summer passenger growth despite spring dip

The Palm Springs International Airport Commission reviewed positive operational surpluses alongside delays in federal construction reimbursements during its monthly meeting last week. In addition, airport leaders said the coming summer months were expected to show year-over-year growth in passenger numbers.

Though April closed with 4.7% fewer passengers and May is expected to drop another 4.2%, June through August flights are on track to grow between 2 and 8%. 

“Our record year last year was set not by the winter peak but by our shoulder and summer seasons,” said airport spokesperson Jake Ingrassia, referring to the transitional or “shoulder season” of travel in-between peak season and off-season. “It’s great to see that summer strength here.”

Airports like Palm Springs intentionally phase projects such as those targeted during last month’s finance committee meeting based on demand and available funding, a strategy aimed at avoiding overbuilding. Last month, Airport leaders outlined roughly $350 million in funding capacity through 2031, starting with the $2.2 million airport administration building at 550 South Paseo Dorotea which is already underway. 

Airport officials noted that while the overall operating fund has a surplus of $1.6 million, the Airport Capital Projects fund is carrying a temporary deficit of $721,000. This imbalance is due to a delay in federal funding disbursements, though officials clarified that the FAA has officially approved the grant reimbursement, meaning the airport expects to fully resolve the deficit as soon as the funds arrive.

Leaders have stressed that those later-phase projects would move forward only if passenger demand supports them. Hence, passenger numbers are a closely watched point of reference for the viability of the expansion itself.

For April, Ingrassia pointed to a reduction in incoming flights, particularly from Canada, as being responsible. Airlines nationwide have registered a 10% drop in total outbound flights from Canada to the U.S. due to a softening of consumer interest. Additionally, rising fuel costs associated with the president’s war on Iran threaten to further increase air travel costs, which could also undermine needed passenger growth.

Interim Executive Director Victoria Carpenter said rising fuel costs were not yet felt strongly, but were having some impact on the airport. Porter Airlines, representing less than 1% of PSP’s winter capacity, pulled its twice-weekly service to Toronto next season.

“It’s a small impact on what we’re seeing for some of our airlines that have decided not to come back to Palm Springs, but yes, it’s a concern, and we’re actively looking at it,” she said. 

Allegiance also paused its Bellingham route to Palm Springs.

“It could have been worse,” said commission Chair Kevin Corcoran of losing the two airlines, adding that it represented “less than 1 or 2% of our total carriage.”

Infrastructure update

Bono concourse escalators are on track to finish in September, said Project Manager Harmon Singh. A final design for taxi area shade structures is expected this month, and could be completed by the end of summer.

A cost estimate for the restrooms designed for the airport is expected next month, said Singh, as is the finalization of the Electric Vehicle fleet, expected by June 22. Hangar 18 utility repairs and a move of airport staff to the new administration building are expected by July.

Executive Program Administrator Christina Brown reported that the airport had begun the installation of its chosen art project for the airport baggage claim.

The title of the artwork is “A Journey Through Color, Landscape, and Light.” Brown said the artwork was a “dynamic visual journey through Palm Springs, where color, landscape, and light come together in a cohesive system.”

The artwork will feature three distinct zones – built landscape, oasis and desert, that will reflect the evolving nature of Palm Springs as travelers pass through the baggage claim area.

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