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Palm Springs International Airport (IATA: PSP, ICAO: KPSP, FAA LID: PSP), formerly Palm Springs Municipal Airport, is an airport two miles (3 km) east of downtown Palm Springs, California, United States. The airport covers 940 acres (380 ha) and has two runways.[2][3] The facility operates year-round, with most flights occurring in the fall, winter, and spring.

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Palm Springs International Airport Palm Springs Army Airfield
IATA: PSP ICAO: KPSP FAA LID: PSP
Summary
Airport type	Public
Owner	City of Palm Springs
Operator	City of Palm Springs Aviation Department
Serves	Coachella Valley, Inland Empire
Location	Palm Springs, California
Elevation AMSL	476 ft / 145 m
Coordinates	33°49′47″N 116°30′24″W
Website	Official website
Maps
FAA diagram
PSP Show map of California PSP Show map of the United States
Runways
Direction Length Surface ft m 13R/31L 10,000 3,048 Asphalt 13L/31R 4,952 1,509 Asphalt
Statistics (2021)
Total Passengers 2,092,943 Aircraft operations 58,137
Source: FAA[1][2]

The airport was named as number 3 in a 2011 list of "America's Most Stress-Free Airports" by Smarter Travel.[4]

History

Military use

PSP was built as a United States Army Air Corps emergency landing field in 1939 on land owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians due to its clear weather and its proximity to March Field and the Los Angeles area.

In March 1941, the War Department certified improvements to the existing airport in Palm Springs as essential to National Defense. The airport was approved to serve as a staging field by the Air Corps Ferrying Command 21st Ferrying Group in November 1941. Land was acquired to build a major airfield a half mile from the old airfield site. The new airfield, Palm Springs Army Airfield,[5] was completed in early 1942, and the old air field was then used only as a backup.[6]

Many of the field's Air Transport Command 560th Army Air Forces Base Unit personnel stayed at the comfortable Lapaz Guest Ranch nearby. Training conducted at the airfield was by the 72d and 73d Ferrying Squadrons in long-distance over-water flying and navigation. Later, training was also provided to pursuit pilot training by IV Fighter Command 459th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron. Training was in P-51 Mustangs, P-40 Warhawks and P-38 Lightnings.

On June 1, 1944, training moved to Brownsville Army Airfield, Texas, and the airfield was used for Army and Navy transport flights until the end of April 1945. The auxiliary field or backup field was declared surplus on May 12, 1945, and the main airfield was declared excess and transferred to the War Assets Administration for disposal in 1946 and it was sold to private buyers. The City of Palm Springs purchased the land in 1961 and converted it to Palm Springs Municipal Airport.

Airline service

Palm Springs had scheduled passenger service in 1934 operated by Palm Springs Air Lines with Ford Trimotor aircraft with flights to the Union Air Terminal (now the Hollywood Burbank Airport) in Burbank.[7] Western Airlines flights began in 1945–46 followed by Bonanza Air Lines in 1957–58. In 1964, Western Lockheed L-188 Electras flew nonstop to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego.[8] Bonanza and successors Air West and Hughes Airwest served Palm Springs for many years with the Fairchild F-27 followed by Douglas DC-9s. American Airlines Boeing 707s appeared in winter 1967–68. By 1969, American had four Boeing 707 departures a day from the airport, two nonstops to Los Angeles and two nonstops to Phoenix and on to Chicago.[9] Trans World Airlines (TWA) Boeing 707s arrived in 1978, flying to Chicago via Phoenix.

Scheduled nonstops did not reach beyond California, Las Vegas, and Phoenix until winter 1969–70, when American Airlines started a nonstop to Chicago O'Hare Airport. In the 1970s, American McDonnell Douglas DC-10s appeared, the largest aircraft ever scheduled to PSP. In 1976, American was flying the DC-10 to New York LaGuardia Airport via Chicago O'Hare Airport as well as Boeing 727-100s to Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix and Los Angeles.[10] In 1976 Western Boeing 727-200s and Boeing 737-200s flew nonstop to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Francisco.[10] In 1987, Western was merged into Delta Air Lines which continues to serve PSP with year-round service to Seattle and seasonal services to other destinations. Other jet service to Palm Springs in the past included flights operated by Air21, Air California and successor Air Cal, America West Airlines, CP Air, the original Frontier Airlines (1950–1986), Hughes Airwest, Morris Air, Pacific Express, Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA), Pan Am, Reno Air, Republic Airlines (1979–1986) and USAir.[11]

Commuter and regional airlines at Palm Springs from the late 1970s to the 1990s included Air Bahia, Air Nevada, American Eagle operated by Wings West Airlines, America West Express operated by Mesa Airlines, Cable Commuter Airlines, California Seaboard Airlines, Dash Air, Delta Connection operated by SkyWest Airlines, Imperial Airlines, Inland Empire Airlines, Scenic Airlines, SkyWest Airlines (operating independently), Sun Aire Lines, Swift Aire Lines, Trans World Express operated by Alpha Air, United Express operated by WestAir and later by SkyWest Airlines, and USAir Express followed by US Airways Express operated by Trans States Airlines and StatesWest Airlines.[12]

Recent Growth and Expansion

Starting in the mid-2010’s, the airport has seen rapid expansion from existing and new airlines.

Delta Airlines began flights to Seattle in December 2014 with the Embraer E175.[13] JetBlue launched flights to New York-JFK in 2016[14] and Boston in 2019.[15]. In December 2018, Delta launched seasonal flights to Atlanta.[16] Delta has since expanded ATL to daily service from December through April, and at one point deployed the Boeing 757 on the route. The airline also upgraded Seattle service to mainline using the Airbus A220 and Boeing 737.

In 2019, Alaska Airlines launched flights to Everett’s Paine Field,[17] and in 2020 added flights to San Jose, Reno, and Boise.[18] Also in 2020, American and JetBlue announced flights to Philadelphia and Fort Lauderdale, respectively.[19][20] Although Philadelphia, Fort Lauderdale, and Reno have since been discontinued, Alaska upgraded their San Jose flights to daily, year-round service, and expanded Everett to twice daily during peak season. American has also upgraded select Phoenix flights to mainline, and doubled frequency to Dallas/Fort Worth during peak season.

In September 2020, Southwest Airlines announced plans to serve Palm Springs, year-round.[21] Flights to Oakland, Phoenix, and Denver launched in November 2020.[22] Southwest currently serves 5 year-round destinations from PSP and an additional 3 seasonally. It will launch flights to San Jose in November 2022.

In August 2021, the airport renovated and expanded the ticketing area. It also installed a new baggage handling system to cope with increased passenger growth and demand.[23]

During the 2021-22 winter season, airlines continued expanding into PSP. In November 2021, Allegiant launched seasonal flights to Nashville, Tennessee[24] and Alaska Airlines launched flights to Austin, Texas.[25] In December 2021, Canadian ultra-low cost carriers Swoop and Flair launched flights PSP.[26][27] And in January 2022, AHA! Airlines launched flights to Reno.[28] However, AHA! ceased operations in August of that year. Flair continues to connect PSP to Vancouver, Toronto, and Edmonton during the winter months.

In March 2022, PSP launched a new incentive program to attract more year-round flights, along with nonstop flights to Hawaii.[29]

In August 2022, Avelo Airlines announced seasonal flights to Eugene, Santa Rosa, and Redmond/Bend. PSP will become Avelo’s 30th destination.[30]

Other past use

On December 30, 2006, a U.S. Air Force Presidential Boeing VC-25 (the USAF military version of the Boeing 747), departed Palm Springs International Airport with the body of the 38th President of the United States, Gerald R. Ford, and delivered it to Washington, D.C., for memorial services.

U.S. customs clearance

Although a true international airport, PSP only has U.S. customs and immigration facilities for general aviation aircraft including business jets. All international airline flights are currently operated from Canadian cities that have pre-clearance facilities.

Terminals

PSP's passenger terminal consists of three parts—the main building, the elevated Sonny Bono Concourse to the north, and a yet-unnamed concourse to the south. The airport has 19 total gates.[31] Airside, it has a unique open-air layout in that all passenger walkways connecting these structures are roofless.[32]

Main building

The main building is the land side of the airport. Road traffic accesses the airport directly off of Tahquitz Canyon Way (from downtown) or Kirk Douglas Way, itself fed by Ramon Road from points east. Uncovered parking areas are directly in front of the building. The center section houses the security screening area and automatic doors to/from the open-air walkways airside. Ticketing is on the right (south) wing, while baggage claim and car rental counters are on the left (north).

Departing passengers are routed first to airline ticket counters or kiosks for checking in. Since all gates at Palm Springs are in the two outlying concourses, passengers must pass through the security screening area for admittance into the secure air side of the airport. After leaving the main building via the automatic doors leading out to the open-air courtyard, passengers can access seventeen full-service gates at the two concourses.

Sonny Bono Concourse (Gates 4–11)

On November 4, 1999, the new Sonny Bono Concourse opened as part of the 1994–2000 expansion. Named in honor of the late singer, congressman and former mayor of the city,[33] this newer concourse has 8 gates (all with jet bridges) and is the elevated one of the two. It is used for larger aircraft (such as the Boeing 737) because of its jet bridges. SB's outdoor escalator and walkway are shaded by a designer roofline similar to that of the Denver International Airport.[32]

Regional Concourse (Gates 12–20)

The older Regional Concourse on the south side, simply known as the Regional Concourse on the airport website, or "Gates 12–20" on airport signage, is at the tarmac level and hosts smaller aircraft such as the Embraer ERJ and Bombardier CRJ. There are 11 gates, which are all hardstands. Boarding uses ramps or airstairs.[32]

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

Airlines	Destinations
Air Canada	Seasonal: Toronto–Pearson, Vancouver
Alaska Airlines	Austin (ends November 29, 2022),[34] Portland (OR), San Francisco, San Jose (CA), Seattle/Tacoma Seasonal: Boise, Everett
Allegiant Air	Bellingham Seasonal: Boise, Des Moines, Nashville, Provo
American Airlines	Dallas/Fort Worth Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare, Philadelphia, Phoenix–Sky Harbor
American Eagle	Phoenix–Sky Harbor Seasonal: Austin (begins November 17, 2022)[35]
Avelo Airlines	Seasonal: Eugene, Redmond/Bend, Santa Rosa (all begin November 11, 2022)[36]
Delta Air Lines	Seasonal: Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Seattle/Tacoma
Delta Connection	Salt Lake City, Seattle/Tacoma
Flair Airlines	Seasonal: Edmonton, Toronto–Pearson, Vancouver
JetBlue	Seasonal: Boston, New York–JFK
Southwest Airlines	Denver, Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Sacramento Seasonal: Chicago-Midway, Dallas–Love, Portland (OR) (resumes March 11, 2023),[37] San Jose (CA) (begins November 6, 2022)[38]
Sun Country Airlines	Seasonal: Minneapolis/St. Paul
United Airlines	Denver, San Francisco Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare, Houston–Intercontinental
United Express	Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco Seasonal: Chicago–O'Hare, Houston–Intercontinental
WestJet	Calgary, Vancouver Seasonal: Edmonton, Winnipeg

Cargo

Airlines	Destinations
Ameriflight	Ontario

Statistics

In the year ending December 31, 2018, the airport had 57,512 aircraft operations, average 158 per day: 41% general aviation, 37% airline, 19% air taxi, and 3% military.[39] 81 aircraft at the time were based at the airport: 62 single-engine, 8 multi-engine, 10 jet, and 1 helicopter.[39]

Airport traffic

Top destinations

Busiest domestic routes from PSP (July 2021 – June 2022)[40]

Rank	City	Passengers	Carriers
1	Seattle/Tacoma, Washington	195,000	Alaska, Delta
2	Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Arizona	157,000	American, Southwest
3	San Francisco, California	155,000	Alaska, United
4	Denver, Colorado	151,000	Frontier, Southwest, United
5	Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas	142,000	American
6	Salt Lake City, Utah	65,000	Delta
7	Oakland, California	64,000	Southwest
8	Chicago–O'Hare, Illinois	52,000	American, Southwest, United
9	Portland, Oregon	51,000	Alaska, Southwest
10	Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota	46,000	Delta, Sun Country

Airline market share

Largest airlines at PSP
(July 2021 – June 2022)[40]

Rank	Airline	Passengers	Share
1	SkyWest Airlines	686,000	26.48%
2	Southwest Airlines	494,000	19.05%
3	American Airlines	398,000	15.34%
4	Alaska Airlines	374,000	14.43%
5	United Airlines	235,000	9.08%
--	Other	405,000	15.62%

Ground transportation

State Route 111 (Gene Autry Trail) is accessible to PSP via Ramon Road.

PSP is served by both municipal and regional routes. Sunline's SunBus routes 2 and 4 provide direct service to downtown Palm Springs via the bus stops at El Cielo/Kirk Douglas and Tahquitz/Civic. Morongo Basin Transit Authority provides service to Twentynine Palms. An Amtrak Thruway bus stop is located just outside the baggage claim area, with service to Cabazon (Morongo Casino), Riverside, and Fullerton. The Idyllwild Shuttle provides weekly connections to Mountain Center and Idyllwild–Pine Cove.[41]

Accidents and incidents at or near PSP

• On October 23, 1942, American Airlines Flight 28, a Douglas DC-3 (reg. NC16017) en route to New York City, crashed in Chino Canyon, 3.1 miles (5 km) north of then Palm Springs Municipal Airport after being clipped by a United States Army Air Force Lockheed B-34 Ventura II bomber. All nine passengers and three crew were killed on the DC-3. The bomber (reg. 41–38116) landed safely at Palm Springs Municipal Airport with minor damage.[42]
• On February 13, 1958, Western Airlines Flight 19, a Convair CV-240 crash-landed and was destroyed after striking boulders and large mounds of drifted sand on desert terrain 4.1 miles NNW of PSP due to separation of the right wing leading edge in flight. Of the 18 passengers and three crew, there were no fatalities, but five passengers were seriously injured, and most of the rest had minor injuries. The aircraft was heavily damaged and written off.[43]
• On November 14, 1965, a Paul Kelly Flying Service Learjet 23 crashed 13.1 miles east of PSP at night when the aircraft lost control and crashed in a 55-degree nose-down vertical left bank attitude due to spatial disorientation of the pilot. Both crew and all six passengers died.[44]
• On September 23, 1967, a Bird Corp. Oakland Centaurus, a modified Lockheed Ventura, crashed in the initial climb after the right engine failed. Both occupants survived, but the aircraft was written off.[45]
• On January 6, 1977, a Jet Avia Learjet 24B impacted a mountain at 9,700 feet 21.9 miles NW of PSP en route to Las Vegas. The crew misinterpreted instrument flight rules clearance and air traffic control instructions, and maintained the runway heading. All four occupants (two crew, two passengers) were killed.[46]

See also

• California World War II Army Airfields
• Air Transport Command
• Palm Springs Air Museum

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

• www.airfieldsdatabase.com

External links

• Palm Springs International Airport (official site)
• Signature Flight Support
• FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective October 6, 2022
• Resources for this airport:
  • AirNav airport information for KPSP
  • ASN accident history for PSP
  • FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
  • NOAA/NWS weather observations: current, past three days
  • SkyVector aeronautical chart for KPSP
  • FAA current PSP delay information

На других языках

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[de] Palm Springs International Airport

Der Palm Springs International Airport (IATA-Code: PSP, ICAO-Code: KPSP) ist der Verkehrsflughafen der amerikanischen Kleinstadt Palm Springs im US-Bundesstaat Kalifornien.

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- [en] Palm Springs International Airport

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[es] Aeropuerto Internacional de Palm Springs

El Aeropuerto Internacional de Palm Springs (en inglés: Palm Springs International Airport) (IATA: PSP, OACI: KPSP, FAA LID: PSP) es un aeropuerto civil localizado a 3 km) (2 millas) al este del distrito central de negocios (CBD) de Palm Springs, California, sirviendo al Valle Coachella del Condado de Riverside. El aeropuerto tiene una extensión de 940 acres (3.8 km²) y tiene dos pistas. Es un aeropuerto sumamente estacional, en el que muchos vuelos no operan durante el verano.

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[fr] Aéroport international de Palm Springs

L'aéroport international de Palm Springs (en anglais : Palm Springs International Airport ; (code IATA : PSP • code OACI : KPSP) est un aéroport de l'est de Palm Springs, en Californie.

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[it] Aeroporto Internazionale di Palm Springs

L'aeroporto internazionale di Palm Springs è un aeroporto situato a 3 km da Palm Springs, negli Stati Uniti d'America.

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