American Selected for Planned $4.5B Phoenix Terminal

American serves more than 20 million customers through Phoenix annually and operates more than 300 peak daily departures to over 100 destinations, underscoring the scale of its hub operation at Sky Harbor.
American and its predecessors have served Phoenix since 1930, and American introduced the region’s first scheduled jet service in 1963 with the Boeing 707.
The West Terminal is planned for the area between Terminal 3 and the new Taxiway U, with a modular design that could allow additional concourses to be added over time.
American accounted for 71% of connecting passengers at Sky Harbor in fiscal 2023–2024, compared with 27% for Southwest, making the new terminal potentially significant for improving the airport’s connecting-hub operations.
Planned passenger improvements include new gate areas, dining and shopping options, lounges, updated passenger-processing systems and integration with the airport’s Sky Train.
American Airlines has been selected as the anchor carrier for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport's planned West Terminal, a $4.5 billion project expected to open in late 2033 KTAR. The new facility marks the airport's first terminal since 1990 and will help accommodate Phoenix's growing passenger demand, which is projected to reach 90 million annually by 2050 Your Valley.
American already dominates Sky Harbor operations, handling more than 40% of the airport's passenger traffic and operating one of its major hubs there Airline Geeks. The airline's selection as primary carrier signals its continued expansion in Phoenix, while making room for Southwest and other carriers to grow in existing facilities Your Valley.
American Airlines serves over 20 million customers annually through Phoenix and operates more than 300 peak daily departures to more than 100 destinations Airline Geeks. The carrier accounted for 71% of connecting passengers at Sky Harbor in fiscal 2023–2024, far outpacing Southwest's 27% share Your Valley. American and its predecessors have operated in Phoenix since 1930, and the airline introduced the region's first scheduled jet service in 1963 with the Boeing 707.
The West Terminal will feature new gate areas, expanded dining and shopping options, modern lounges, and updated passenger-processing systems KTAR. The facility will integrate with Sky Harbor's Sky Train, the airport's automated people-mover system. Planners designed the terminal with a modular approach, allowing additional concourses to be added over time as passenger volumes grow.
The West Terminal is positioned in the area between Terminal 3 and the new Taxiway U KTAR. The $4.5 billion project will not begin welcoming passengers until late 2033, giving airport officials and American Airlines years to finalize details such as the terminal's official name, specific gate assignments, and final airline allocations Your Valley. The development is part of the broader Destination PHX 2050 expansion plan, which aims to position the airport to serve up to 90 million passengers annually.
American Airlines' relocation from Terminal 4 to the new West Terminal will free up space for Southwest and other carriers to expand their operations at Sky Harbor Your Valley. Southwest currently holds a significant presence at the airport but operates at less capacity than American. The move addresses Phoenix's need to handle more passengers and wider aircraft, supporting the city's growth as a major travel hub KTAR.
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