This RivCo Airport Sees Major Passenger Growth, Study Says

PALM SPRINGS, CA — Palm Springs International Airport has seen a massive increase in passengers flying and and out of its terminals this year, according to a new travel study by Local Insider.

With 33,855 more people passing through the facility, the airport saw a 4 percent year-over-year increase, the study reported, based on data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

The study looked at passenger traffic across some 100 major and mid-sized airports in the U.S. to find emerging travel hotspots.

Palm Springs ranked among the top fastest-growing airports in the U.S., along with Knoxville, Washington D.C., Providence and Orlando.

Meanwhile, the Palm Springs airport also ranked no. 14 as one of the top 20 emerging U.S. hot spots, identified as airports with at least 500,000 annual arrivals showing the largest year-over-year increases.

Another California airport that topped that list was San Francisco International, which ranked no. 6. The city also ranked no. 11 as one of the top 20 most popular U.S. destinations.

"These mid-sized airports often serve as affordable alternatives to crowded hubs, which makes them attractive for cost-conscious travelers," according to the study text.

Here are some highlights pulled from the study:

• 44 percent of Americans say they prefer to fly out of a secondary airport to save money.
• When it comes to winter travel, the average American has budgeted $2,036 for flights and accommodations this season.
• With inflation weighing on winter travel plans, 42 percent have already canceled or reconsidered a trip.
• The total international arrivals to the U.S. dropped by more than one million people year-over-year.

Check out the full travel study here.