Get ready for a major facelift at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport as city officials lay out plans for a brand-new terminal. Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego along with city council members unveiled a proposed expansion at the bustling transportation hub, courtesy of a long-term master plan aimed at steering the airport into the future. Amid rising passenger numbers, which soared to over 48 million last year, the addition is being hailed as a crucial step to maintaining top-tier service at what's been dubbed America's Friendliest Airport®.
Speaking on the changes, Mayor Gallego said, "Phoenix Sky Harbor is busier than ever, which is why we'll soon need a new terminal to accommodate our growth". According to the Mayor's statement to the City of Phoenix, plans are underway to materialize a "cutting-edge terminal" to ensure passenger satisfaction remains sky-high. This expansion is not just hot off the presses—talks of a western terminal have been flying around since a Comprehensive Asset Management Plan made a landing in 2019, depicting a 20-year strategic blueprint for the airport.
Envisioned for the west side of the airport's campus, the anticipated terminal will rise from the grounds that once housed the demolished Terminals 1 and 2, which saw their last days in 1990 and 2020 respectively. This signals the first significant terminal construction since Terminal 4 opened its doors more than three decades ago. While passengers won't be boarding from this new terminal anytime soon—with groundwork not expected to lift off until post-2030—the wheels have already started turning with designs and environmental prep work. Funding for the project will taxi in from passenger facility charges, bonds, and airport revenue, with an emphasis on the absence of tax dollars in the mix.
Vice Mayor Debra Stark shared her anticipation, highlighting the bond between the airport, its partners, and its accessibility for the disabled community. "I am excited to see what the future will bring for Sky Harbor," Stark commented. Meanwhile, Councilwoman Laura Pastor, representing District 4, emphasized the airport's commitment to a "world-class experience" through the new West Terminal, reinforcing the city's support for local jobs and international appeal.
Councilwoman Betty Guardado of District 5 believes the project will keep Phoenix competitive in the aviation industry, while Councilwoman Kesha Hodge Washington from District 8 credited the airport's proactive approach in engaging stakeholders and planning ahead. Both officials disclosed their views in statements to the City of Phoenix. On an average day, Sky Harbor sees an educational impact of over $44 billion with around 1,000 aircraft and 130,000 passengers weaving through its terminals – all sustained by airport-generated funds, not taxpayer dollars.
