As Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport gears up to meet the challenges of increased traffic and demand, city officials have announced the commencement of plans for a new terminal, projected to open in the late 2030s. In a move to keep the "America's Friendliest Airport" ahead of the curve, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego has directed city staff to start the ball rolling on constructing a new terminal to handle the burgeoning passenger numbers, according to a statement cited by the Business Journal.
"Phoenix Sky Harbor is busier than ever, which is why we’ll soon need a new terminal to accommodate our growth," Mayor Gallego said, her vision for the project entails providing "excellent customer experience" at the expanding airport. The proposed West Terminal aims to occupy the space near where the former Terminals 1 and 2 formerly stood – both removed from the airport's landscape in 1990 and 2020, respectively. This development comes on the heels of massive passenger growth in recent years, and aviation director Chad Makovsky warned of Sky Harbor reaching its capacity by the mid-2030s, if expansion isn't realized, ABC15 reported.
Before a single foundation stone is laid for the West Terminal, the city of Phoenix will have to navigate a maze of federal regulations and a host of preliminary steps. The initial phase, covering 2025 to 2031, includes an extensive environmental review and detailed planning. With construction expected to commence in 2032, the terminal's doors may not swing open until 2037 or 2038. Although the exact gate count remains undecided, estimates suggest the terminal could house anywhere from 40 to 60 or more gates, based on future requirements.
In the interim, the city isn't resting on its laurels. Sky Harbor is in the midst of a flurry of other projects totaling a substantial investment of $3.5 billion over the next six years. These developments range from a pivotal north/south taxiway, enhancements to Terminal 3, and creating a secure walkway connecting Terminals 3 and 4. The funding formula for both the new terminal, and the slew of enhancements, relies on a mixture of passenger facility charges, bonds, and internal airport reserves – notably with an absence of taxpayer dollars, the ABC15 coverage elucidated.
All told, these developments fall under the umbrella of Sky Harbor's comprehensive asset management plan, first outlined in 2019, and subsequently updated in 2022. As Phoenix looks to the skies for its expanding horizons, city officials are laying the groundwork to ensure that America's Friendliest Airport remains a welcoming gateway for passengers for years to come.
