California, a Sustainable Terminal for San Diego Airport

New federal funds are coming to San Diego’s airstrip, one of California’s busiest airports. The project for the construction of the new Terminal 1 has been allocated an additional $23.5 million from grants, bringing the total to $187 million, which the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has decided to use to support the development and modernization of over a dozen American airports.

The first phase of the work for the new Terminal 1 in San Diego, whose final cost has risen from $2.6 billion in 2021 to the current $3.4 billion, is expected to be completed by the end of 2025 with the opening of 19 new gates and the inauguration of the new Parking Plaza. The second phase, expected to be completed by 2028, will add 11 boarding gates to the terminal, bringing the total to 30 gates. The airport complex, covering over 1.2 million square feet (over 111,000 square meters), includes a dozen restaurants and shops, expanded security lanes, additional parking and road connections, and a new baggage handling system capable of processing up to 2,000 bags per day.

All grants come from the $25 billion allocated for airport improvements, such as terminal expansions and system upgrades, following the bipartisan infrastructure law. According to the FAA, nearly $9 billion has been distributed to airports so far.

According to approved plans, Southwest Airlines and Delta will use the new Terminal 1, as well as some other airlines yet to be defined. Terminal 2, on the other hand, will continue to be used for domestic flights by other carriers and as a departure and arrival point for international flights.

Unlike other California airports with multiple runways in Los Angeles and San Francisco, ranked fifth and 14th in the country for passenger transit volume respectively, San Diego International Airport (SAN) has long been known as the busiest single-runway airport in the United States. San Diego International Airport’s Terminal 1 opened in 1967 and saw 2.5 million passengers in its first year. It recently achieved results not contemplated in the original projects, handling more than 15 million passengers in 2021, although pre-pandemic figures exceeded 25 million.

The Terminal 1 project focuses on sustainability with rainwater harvesting, access to electric vehicle charging stations, and an airport management plan that takes into account future sea level rise. Additionally, the interventions included the construction of an underground fuel distribution system that will eliminate traditional refueling trucks, while shuttle services will be completely electric.

Although focused on Terminal 1, the improvements will also impact Terminal 2, which will benefit from new passenger connections, a post-security outdoor patio overlooking San Diego Bay, two club lounges, and a children’s play area. A new three-lane entrance road and a multi-use path along North Harbor Drive will improve accessibility, serving both vehicles and pedestrians. The current Terminal 1 will be demolished after the first phase of work on the new terminal is completed, following the opening of the first 19 gates.