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May passenger traffic down 7.8% year‑over‑year; airport projects modest summer seat growth
Summary
Airport marketing staff reported May 2026 passenger traffic fell 7.8% from May 2025 (about 19,000 fewer passengers) but forecasted a more than 3% increase in seat capacity over the June–September period, adding roughly 22,000 summer seats and projecting July as the strongest month.
Marketing and air‑service staff provided an overview of recent traffic and seasonal projections.
Staff reported May 2026 passenger traffic down 7.8% compared with May 2025, amounting to about 19,000 fewer passengers. They cited multiple contributing factors rather than a single cause: softer Canadian demand, higher travel costs being reflected in ticket prices, and operational disruptions such as runway work at San Francisco that led to cancellations. Staff also noted that two carriers operating last May (Frontier and another carrier transcribed as "Abelloo") did not operate at PSP this May.
Despite the softer May, staff said carriers were scheduling more summer flights and projected over 3% seat‑capacity growth for June–September 2026 (approximately 22,000 additional seats), with July expected to show the strongest capacity increase (nearly 8% year‑over‑year). Staff cautioned these are seat projections rather than bookings and that proprietary booking data is held by carriers.
Staff also highlighted new terminal concessions signage for summer hours, promoted the baggage‑claim artwork launch and noted strong community engagement events, including a board appreciation dinner and a community celebration that coincided with a Marilyn Monroe centennial event in downtown Palm Springs.
