Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) continued its streak of year-over-year summer passenger traffic increases in July 2025, recording steady passenger growth and signaling a cautiously optimistic outlook for the Greater Palm Springs tourism economy. According to recently released data, the airport processed a total of 125,080 passengers during the month, a remarkable 11% increase compared to July 2024.
The uptick follows a multi-month trend of consistent gains, helping to solidify PSP’s role as a critical gateway to Greater Palm Springs, even as the region navigates seasonal slowdowns and broader industry shifts.
July 2025 by the Numbers
In July 2025:
- Enplanements (departing passengers): 63,096, an increase of 11.6% compared to July 2024.
- Deplanements (arriving passengers): 61,941, up 10.4% from the year before.
- Total passenger traffic: 125,080 was up from 112,705 in July 2024.
This growth in July builds on a trend that began earlier in the year. From January through July 2025, the airport welcomed 2,155,547 passengers, a 4.4% year-to-date increase over the same period in 2024.
Rebound from 2023 Lows and 2024 Volatility
In May, the airport welcomed just under 250,000 passengers, narrowly edging past the year before. June was even better in terms of percentage increase year over year: 139,720 travelers, a solid 6.1% jump over June 2024, with both arrivals and departures climbing. And in July, the month that seasonal slowdowns have historically hit the hardest, the increase marked a significant improvement over the declines seen in July 2023 and July 2024.
Overall, 2024 was a mixed year. While some months posted gains, others lagged due to weather disruptions, reduced service levels from some carriers, and national air travel headwinds. The 2024 full-year total reached 3.23 million passengers, a 0.2% decline compared to 2023.
The 2023 calendar year showed a more robust recovery from pandemic lows, with a total of 3.24 million passengers, an 8.6% increase over 2022. June 2025’s numbers indicate PSP may again be trending upward toward record-setting territory if gains continue through the rest of the year.
Local Resilience: Palm Springs’ Performance in Context
The continued passenger growth is welcome news for the Greater Palm Springs tourism industry, which relies heavily on PSP to funnel visitors into the region, particularly in shoulder and peak seasons. While summer is traditionally a much quieter time for desert tourism, the positive performance in May, June and July signals that the airport is sustaining momentum even during slower months.
This kind of stability in the summer is hopefully an indicator of what we may see when the weather cools and the tourism calendar ramps up in the fall. The tourism sector watches these numbers closely because they’re tied directly to hotel occupancy, restaurant sales, and retail performance.
Despite reduced arrivals from Canada (a significant regional feeder), the airport posted gains, implying that domestic leisure visitors, business travelers, and possibly secondary markets in California and neighboring states helped compensate.
A National Contrast
Across the United States, the summer travel story has looked much bleaker.
In Las Vegas, visitor counts dropped by more than 400,000 in June alone, part of an 11% year-over-year decline, leaving hotels and restaurants struggling to fill rooms and tables. The Vegas dip mirrors a national trend. The travel forecasting company Tourism Economics, which in December 2024 anticipated the U.S. would have nearly 9% more international arrivals this year, revised its annual outlook to predict a 9.4% drop. Some of the steepest declines could be from Canada, the company said. Canada was the largest source of visitors to the U.S. in 2024, with more than 20.2 million, according to U.S. government data.
The Hawaiian Islands, long a magnet for international travelers, have seen double-digit decreases in overseas visitors, particularly from Japan and Canada, with experts warning of billions in lost spending. Even New York City, one of the world’s premier destinations, is reporting a sharp drop in foreign arrivals, an estimated 17% fewer international visitors this year, causing ripple effects across Broadway, museums, and restaurants.
These struggles are fueled by a combination of factors: rising travel costs, higher visa fees, a strong U.S. dollar, and lingering unease among foreign travelers about the U.S. political climate. The World Travel & Tourism Council has projected that international tourism spending in the U.S. will fall by as much as $12.5 billion in 2025, the only major global economy expected to shrink in this sector.
Greater Palm Springs, by comparison, may be weathering the tide by drawing increased domestic-based travel even as global confidence in U.S. travel wanes.
Outlook: Can PSP Stay Clear of the Broader Tourism Bug?
If PSP continues to perform as it has year to date, there’s potential to surpass its 2023 record of 3.24 million annual passengers, despite industry headwinds. But much hinges on:
- Domestic demand remaining solid through the summer and fall.
- Recovery in bookings from Canada and Europe, which may require improved U.S. policy and perception.
- Regional alignment among Greater Palm Springs amenities, travel packages, and pricing strategies to capitalize on domestic preferences for drive-to, value-led experiences.
Route Growth: New Flights Announced
PSP’s momentum is translating into more ways to get here. Fresh service additions expand options for both locals and visitors and reinforce the airport’s strong summer showing.
- Alaska Airlines: Santa Rosa (STS) – Starts October 26, 2025, operating five times weekly through winter. “A perfect match between two world-class destinations,” said Executive Director of Aviation Harry Barrett, Jr.
- American Airlines: Charlotte (CLT) – Seasonal Saturdays, December 20, 2025–April 18, 2026, on a 737-800 (172 seats), unlocking one-stop access to dozens of East Coast and international destinations via CLT.
- Southwest Airlines: Austin (AUS) – Seasonal weekend nonstops, Saturdays & Sundays, March 5–April 6, 2026, adding choice on a popular route with Southwest’s 737 service. Southwest becomes the second airline to serve the Austin route from PSP in 2026, joining Delta Air Lines, which announced service earlier this year.
Harry Barrett, Jr., Executive Director of Aviation at Palm Springs International Airport.
“These additions create more opportunities for our community, our visitors, and our economy,” Barrett said – a timely boost as PSP heads into the fall and peak season.
Summer Resilience and Looking Ahead
Palm Springs International Airport’s strong summer showing offers a glimmer of hope amid a challenging summer for U.S. tourism. While international traffic falters due to geopolitical friction and consumer caution, PSP appears more insulated, supported by domestic leisure travelers and regional draw. For local tourism stakeholders, leveraging this momentum and the continued success of the aggressive visitor marketing strategies led by the expert team at Visit Greater Palm Springs will hopefully help mitigate the broader collateral damage that is impacting other iconic destinations.
