American Airlines will anchor Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s future West Terminal. American will be the primary airline carrier for the future terminal, which will be the airport’s first new terminal construction since Terminal 4 opened in 1990.
The announcement comes as Phoenix Sky Harbor unveils Destination PHX 2050, a long-range development program designed to guide the airport’s capital investments as passenger demand continues to rise.
American Deepens Its Phoenix Presence
American is already Phoenix’s largest airline, accounting for more than 40 percent of Sky Harbor’s passenger traffic. The carrier operates more than 300 peak daily departures from PHX to more than 100 destinations across North America, Hawaii, Europe and beyond.
“Phoenix is a critical part of American’s network, and we’re excited to continue to invest in the airport and this region’s future,” said American Airlines CEO Robert Isom, in a press statement. “American is Phoenix’s largest airline, carrying more than 20 million customers through Sky Harbor annually and employing 8,000 team members across Arizona, and we are proud to partner with the City of Phoenix and Sky Harbor on a vision that will support continued growth, create jobs, strengthen global connectivity and deliver an even better experience for our customers with much-needed new premium spaces.”
A New Gateway for Phoenix
The West Terminal will be built on the west side of the airport, near the site of the former Terminals 1 and 2. Sky Harbor says the facility will become an important gateway for the airport’s growing international traffic and will be designed to accommodate additional wide-body aircraft.
“Phoenix Sky Harbor is a powerful economic engine for our state, and it’s the gateway for business opportunity and tourism,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said, in a press statement. “The West Terminal is a game-changing investment in our economic future and will help us continue to welcome travelers with best-in-class service, set a new standard for the passenger experience and meet the needs of our growing community.”
The terminal is still in the planning stages. Sky Harbor began a collaborative visioning phase earlier this year, with design procurement anticipated in 2027. Construction could begin in late 2029, with a potential opening in late 2033; the timeline remains subject to change. The airport has not yet finalized the terminal’s number of gates or concourses.
For more information, visit skyharbor.com.
