Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is undergoing a multimillion-dollar facelift and expansion to increase capacity, improve the traveler experience, and incorporate elements of desert modernism — all to make it a more powerful economic engine for Greater Palm Springs.
By expanding terminals, adding gates for airlines and parking, updating taxiways and runways, and reimagining the shopping and dining experience with local flavors and homegrown brands, PSP is adapting to the staggering growth of the destination.
“This airport was originally designed to handle about 1.5 million passengers annually, and we’re already more than double that,” says Jake Ingrassia, the airport’s public affairs manager. “We had over 3.2 million passengers in 2024 and expect 4 million by 2027. The growth is not slowing down.”
This surge, driven by a potent mix of leisure tourism, business travel, and a booming local population, has necessitated a comprehensive modernization plan, which the public can follow online at flypsp.com/progress.
The initiative is about enhancing the entire passenger experience. Upgrades include new flight information displays and sleek midcentury modern curbside seating that complements the airport’s original Donald Wexler design — a deliberate effort to maintain the distinctive Palm Springs style while improving comfort. The plan also improves access with the addition of elevators in the Sonny Bono concourse and main terminal.
Beyond the immediate passenger experience, the airport is making a significant investment in infrastructure. A state-of-the-art conference room is under construction with new furniture, audiovisual equipment, and soundproofing.
“We’ve heard loud and clear from the community,” Ingrassia says. “They want us to grow but not lose the Palm Springs look and feel. We’re making sure that legacy is reflected in every new piece we build.”
Ingrassia emphasizes that all these improvements are funded through federal grants, airport revenues, and other sources — not local taxes.
Upgrades to Palm Springs International Airport complement the original design by renowned architect Donald Wexler. Completed in 1966, his glass-and-steel structure with a striking folded plate roof is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Photo courtesy wexler family collection
The economic impact of this expansion is staggering. A recent study revealed PSP’s contribution to the local economy in fiscal year 2024: $2.5 billion in economic output, 18,377 jobs supported, $1.1 billion in visitor spending, and $382 million in tax revenue.
“PSP is more than a gateway to our destination — it’s an economic engine that fuels growth throughout the Coachella Valley,” Ingrassia explains, emphasizing that 98 percent of the airport’s economic impact remains within Riverside County.
by the numbers
All figures are for 2024 unless otherwise indicated.
$332,000
Revenue generated from outbound cargo
$464 million
Airline revenue from passenger airfare in 2024
$5.7 million
Revenue generated from retail concessions
$9.8 million
Revenue generated from food and beverage concessions
137
TSA positions supported
$1.1 billion
Spent in the Coachella Valley by visitors arriving at PSP. Accommodations ($335.6 million) is the greatest spending category, followed by food service/restaurants ($286.6 million) and transportation services ($208.8 million)
$102.3 million
Revenue generated from on-airport rental car concessions
514,000
Pounds of enplaned and deplaned cargo handled at PSP in 2023, soaring from 41,000 pounds in 2010.
The Agua Caliente Oasis transforms the busy concourse into a breezy, welcoming space to relax, recharge, and plug in.
Photo courtesy agua caliente casinos
Looking ahead, PSP’s 20-year master plan promises even greater growth. The number of gates will double, from 18 to 32, accommodating a significant increase in flight capacity, and a new federal inspection station will open the door to international flights. “We conducted a study that showed demand for daily flights to Mexico and even Western Europe,” Ingrassia reveals. “This expansion could truly make Palm Springs a global gateway.”
The design of a new three-level rental car center, much of which will be underground, underscores PSP’s commitment to preserving the views of the airport’s architecture. “We heard from the community that preserving the charm and historic views was important,” Ingrassia says. “We kept the rental car center compact and walkable. … We’re preserving the midcentury buildings and having the new ones retain the feel of Palm Springs.”
Additionally, PSP doubles down on providing travelers with an authentic experience by featuring local products and businesses within the terminal.
Popular Palm Springs eateries like Trio, Las Casuelas Terraza, Coachella Valley Coffee, and The Pink Door offer travelers a taste of the area’s culinary scene. “Walking into a terminal filled with local food, hotels, services, and shops, travelers experience the essence of Palm Springs from the start — or a little longer before they leave,” Ingrassia says. “It’s about making the airport feel like Palm Springs. That means bold design, comfort, and a real sense of place.”
Another intriguing aspect of the PSP revitalization is its free visitor pass.
“We want everyone to enjoy what’s happening at PSP,” Ingrassia says. “You can now walk your friend to the gate or grab a drink at Trio with them before they fly. It turns the airport into more of a community space.”
PSP allows travelers to relax outdoors amid sunshine and mountain views while waiting for their flights.
Photo by richard broadwell, via alamy stock photos
From the retail and dining options to the transportation links and nearby hotels, the airport’s influence reverberates throughout the Greater Palm Springs economy.
The ripple effects are everywhere. Billions in visitor spending and thousands of local jobs translate to tangible benefits: thriving neighborhoods, improved public services, and a robust local economy. PSP supports a vast range of many jobs, from airport and hotel staff to Uber/Lyft drivers, restaurant crews, and many small business owners. Tourist dollars fuel bustling shops, sold-out concerts, and a vibrant lifestyle across the valley.
As the Coachella Valley continues to grow, PSP intends to stay a few steps ahead. One flight, one guest, one opportunity at a time — this is PSP’s mantra. The sky’s the limit.
