As private aviation continues to reshape how affluent travelers move, invest and ultimately put down roots, Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport in Thermal has quietly emerged as one of the most active and strategically important gateways of its kind in Southern California. At the center of that transformation is Desert Jet Center, whose newly approved expansion and land lease with the County of Riverside marks a major milestone not just for the company, but for the region’s tourism-driven economy.
Desert Jet is preparing to begin construction on a 7.5-acre expansion immediately adjacent to its existing fixed base operation, a move that will significantly increase aircraft parking capacity and add nearly 60,000 square feet of new hangar space, along with more luxurious executive terminal space, in multiple phases. The development follows months of behind-the-scenes engineering and planning and reflects what Desert Jet CEO Jared Fox describes as years of pent-up demand.
Desert Jet has completed a land lease with the County of Riverside to facilitate expansion of its operations at TRM.
“We’ve actually been preparing for this for a long time,” Fox said. “We’re literally trying to hit the dirt running. This isn’t a replacement for what we have. Our existing Desert Jet Center is under a long-term lease and operating at peak performance. This is purely an addition that completes what will ultimately feel like one beautiful campus at the airport.”
Robust growth in private aviation continues
The expansion comes at a moment when private and business aviation are experiencing structural growth rather than a temporary surge. Industry-wide, private aviation has benefited from changes in work patterns, increased emphasis on time efficiency, heightened expectations for personalized travel experiences and a growing population of high-net-worth individuals who now view private aircraft as a practical mobility tool rather than a luxury indulgence.
Those trends are especially visible in destination markets like the Coachella Valley, where seasonal residents, festivalgoers, second-home owners and executives increasingly bypass commercial terminals in favor of private aviation hubs.
“These are not one-time visitors,” Fox said. “We see the same people coming back again and again. They come for Coachella and Stagecoach, the American Express PGA Tour event, the Indian Wells tennis tournament, or a long weekend. Then they start staying longer. Eventually, many of them buy homes here, invest in businesses here, or start companies here. That pattern is very real, and we see it every day.”
A gateway that shapes first impressions and long-term decisions
Desert Jet operates as a full-service fixed base operator (FBO), providing private terminal services for business and general aviation. Its role goes far beyond fueling aircraft and providing hangar space. For many visitors arriving by private jet or shared-seat charter services like JSX, Desert Jet is their first interaction with the Coachella Valley and their last impression when they leave.
“We’ve trademarked the phrase ‘Gateway to the Coachella Valley,’ and we take that responsibility seriously,” Fox said. “We know that hundreds, if not thousands, of travelers experience the valley for the first time through our facility. That’s an opportunity to showcase everything that makes this place special.”
Fox describes Desert Jet as part aviation facility, part hospitality hub. Staff regularly assist guests with hotel arrangements, ground transportation, restaurant recommendations and local experiences. That concierge-style approach reinforces the region’s broader tourism ecosystem, from luxury resorts and restaurants to real estate and retail.
“It’s the overall experience,” Fox said. “This is what people remember. Whether they’re performers, business owners, or part-time residents, Desert Jet is often the bookend to their time here.”
Building to meet demand, not speculation
The new development reflects that demand-driven philosophy. Construction is expected to begin with the aircraft parking apron, which will add approximately 3.5 acres of new aircraft parking capacity. That phase is designed to proceed first and be completed at the end of 2026, allowing Desert Jet to relieve congestion during peak periods such as music festivals, major sporting events, and high-season weekends.
Once the aircraft parking area is operational, subsequent phases will focus on constructing two open-span hangars, each just under 30,000 square feet, along with all associated FBO amenities, including a luxurious passenger lounge, pilot lounge, conference space, refreshment and hospitality bar, an on-site maintenance repair station, and more.
Together, the hangars will accommodate aircraft ranging from small piston planes to large intercontinental business jets. The full buildout is planned in stages to align with market demand and permitting timelines, ensuring the expansion remains financially disciplined while remaining responsive to continued growth. Fox estimates the company will pursue an 18-month timeline for completing the new facility development after the aircraft parking space is completed.
“We don’t build for the sake of building,” Fox said. “Construction costs are high. You do this because the demand is there, and right now, we’re bursting at the seams.”
Jobs, careers, and workforce development in the Eastern Valley
Beyond infrastructure, the expansion represents a meaningful investment in local jobs and workforce development. Desert Jet currently employs 40 full-time staff members across its Thermal operations, including line technicians, aircraft maintenance professionals, customer service specialists, administrative staff and management. Company leadership estimates that as the new facilities come online, total employment at the Thermal campus will grow significantly, reaching a new base of roughly 60 full-time jobs, with additional hires planned across both aviation operations and guest services.
Just as important, Desert Jet positions itself as a long-term career destination rather than a short-term employer. Entry-level employees can advance into highly skilled, well-compensated aviation careers through on-the-job training, industry certifications and exposure to a wide range of aircraft and operations.
“We have people who start on the ramp and work their way into leadership roles, maintenance careers, or specialized operational positions,” Fox said. “This industry rewards professionalism, attention to detail and customer care. If you’re willing to learn, there’s a real path forward here.”
Those career pathways help keep aviation talent local, giving Coachella Valley residents access to specialized skills without leaving the region.
A local success story with national reach
While Desert Jet’s roots are firmly planted in the desert, its recent expansion into Colorado underscores the company’s growing national reputation. In late 2025, Desert Jet began managing two state-of-the-art heated hangars at Yampa Valley Regional Airport in Hayden, serving the Steamboat Springs area. The facilities can accommodate some of the largest business jets in service and represent the first phase of Desert Jet’s broader expansion strategy.
“The Colorado project really reflects what we’ve built here,” Fox said. “Destination markets. High service expectations. Aviation as an economic catalyst.”
An economic multiplier for the Coachella Valley
For the Coachella Valley, the impact extends well beyond the airport fence. Private aviation visitors tend to stay longer, spend more and return more frequently than traditional tourists. Many transition from visitors to property owners and business investors, reinforcing long-term economic stability.
“What starts as a fun trip often turns into a relationship with the valley,” Fox said. “People arrive curious, they leave hooked, and they come back committed.”
As Desert Jet moves forward with its expansion, the project stands as a clear signal that private aviation is no longer a supporting player in the region’s economy. It is a key driver, connecting global wealth, repeat visitation, job creation and long-term investment to the Coachella Valley – one aircraft arrival at a time.
