Southern California Airport Capacity

Airport capacity is an issue being discussed in counties throughout Southern California. In 2007, more than 61 million people took flights in and out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – the third busiest airport in the United States. But LAX is quickly running out of capacity. As early as 2015, the airport will reach its policy constrained limit of 78 million annual passengers, and driving to LAX for air service is not a long-term solution for passengers from San Diego County.
 
Every year all six of the main commercial airports in the Los Angeles region handles close to 88 million passengers. In 2035, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) estimates that the region will serve 135 million passengers, a growth of almost 50 million passengers from today. The urban airports in the Los Angeles region, like John Wayne Airport and Long Beach Airport, both have legal constraints that prevent them from expanding. Airport planning in the Los Angeles region is focusing on moving passengers to Palmdale Regional Airport and LA-Ontario International Airport, as well as other developing airports in the Inland Empire where there is room to grow. Because it takes 15 to 20 years to build airport infrastructure, the Los Angeles region will face challenges meeting its own demand, let alone helping San Diego County to meet ours.
 
In addition to the growth in air passengers, the population of the Los Angeles region is also growing at a much faster rate than San Diego’s. The Los Angeles region in 2035 is estimated to have over 23 million people living there. While it only takes two hours to drive to Los Angeles today from downtown San Diego, according to SCAG driving time could double by 2030.
 
The San Diego County Regional Airport Authority works closely with SANDAG and SCAG to think creatively about how to meet travelers’ demands in the future. The Airport Authority is exploring the use of high speed rail to an airport in the Inland Empire, construction of a Cross Border Terminal with Mexico, or a new airport in Imperial County. It will continue to work with our regional partners to deliver solutions that benefit all. As a combined Southern California region, airport infrastructure is a vital component to keeping the regional economic engine running for both tourism and business.

View map of Southern California Airports and capacities.