As the Passenger Record for the Year continues, Average One-Way Fare Decreased by 29%

PALM SPRINGS – As another passenger record is set, and passenger numbers and flight offerings at Palm Springs International Airport continue to increase, the airport’s average one-way fare has decreased.

Fall is off to a great start for PSP after a record-setting summer for the airport. PSP’s Total Passenger Count for September was 136,666, more than 28% higher than the previous September record set in 2019 when 106,211 total passengers flew through Palm Springs. When compared to 2020, this September represented an increase of 185%. Airport officials expect the increased passenger activity to continue through the end of the year with more new routes and Flair Airlines set to land at PSP.

Helping to contribute to PSP’s passenger records are more year-round flights, more airlines, and decreasing fares. According to US DOT data provided by Cirium, the average one-way fare from Palm Springs in the second quarter of 2021 was $149, or a 29% decrease from the same period in 2018 when the average one-way fare was $210.

“We recently launched new service to Sacramento on Southwest Airlines, and we have thirteen more new service launches set for this fall,” said Harry Barrett, Assistant Executive Director of Aviation. “Having more airlines and more nonstop routes at PSP has increased competition, which has helped to lower the average one-way fare from Palm Springs making it easier for travelers to choose to fly PSP.”

Palm Springs International Airport has 41.4% more departing seats for sale in October 2021 compared to 2019, and 15.6% and 22% more in November and December. The airport does not expect its 2021 full-year passenger numbers to surpass 2019 due to the impact of the pandemic at the start of the year, but they are optimistic for a strong finish. Total year-to-date passenger numbers are down 30.7% compared to the same period in 2019.

Image Sources

  • Palm Springs International Airport: Shutterstock