Phoenix Will Open New West Terminal by 2033
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport plans a multi-phase West Terminal to address rising air travel demand.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Air Travel
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Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport will expand its infrastructure by developing a new West Terminal, which is scheduled to open in 2033. The project aims to accommodate projected passenger growth after the facility served over 50 million people in 2024 and 2025.
Why it matters
The new terminal will provide additional gate capacity for American Airlines, which accounts for 40% of airport operations. Development is necessary because existing terminals lack the space for long-haul widebody aircraft and passenger volume is expected to outpace current capacity by the end of the 2030s.
Phoenix Sky Harbor supports 47,000 jobs and generates an annual economic impact of $44.3 billion. The proposed West Terminal will include eight concourses to manage the 20 million passengers currently flying with American Airlines at the site.
The players
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
This facility is the primary commercial airport serving the Phoenix metropolitan area.
American Airlines
This major carrier maintains a significant hub at Sky Harbor and serves 20 million annual passengers there.
Federal Aviation Administration
This federal agency regulates all aspects of civil aviation in the United States.
Southwest Airlines
This airline operates a major presence at the airport and previously expanded its footprint at Terminal 4.
The details
The project will be built in phases to sustain operations while the airport continues to grow beyond its current gate limitations. In the interim, a new six-gate concourse at Terminal 3 is slated to open in late 2027 to provide immediate relief.
Timeline
Terminal 3 opened in 1979.
Terminal 4 opened in 1990.
Southwest Airlines added an eight-gate concourse in 2022.
The FAA confirmed a 2006 environmental impact statement in December 2025.
The West Terminal is scheduled to open in 2033.
Travel Outlook
The expansion follows the FAA's recent validation of the 2006 environmental impact statement, providing the regulatory framework necessary to proceed. This ensures the airport can keep pace with long-term regional population growth and the increasing demand for long-haul widebody flight capacity.
Travelers should anticipate long-term construction projects at the airport over the next decade as infrastructure phases begin. Passengers flying American Airlines may eventually see increased service options as the terminal provides the necessary gate space for larger, long-haul aircraft.
The takeaway
Airport infrastructure projects like this are vital for maintaining economic momentum in high-growth cities. Residents and business travelers can expect a more connected facility as the airport prepares for a significant increase in annual traffic by mid-century.
What happens next
Construction on the West Terminal is expected to begin in 2029, following the opening of a six-gate concourse at Terminal 3 in late 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about local infrastructure developments in the Air Travel section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZ Central.
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