AZ Central
Michael Salerno
17 Dec 2025
Phoenix aviation officials planned for six years of environmental review for a new terminal on the west side of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
It didn't take as long as they expected.
The Federal Aviation Administration recently told Phoenix Aviation Department staff that a comprehensive environmental impact statement submitted in 2006, which included plans for a new terminal, was sufficient to move on to the next steps of planning for Sky Harbor's upcoming West Terminal. Their original timetable for the terminal suggested the project would go through the FAA's review process from 2025 to 2031.
The environmental impact statement is the lengthiest part of the planning process for major airport construction projects and typically takes five to six years to complete. Airport staff said in public meetings and past interviews with The Arizona Republic that they expected the terminal could partially open as early as 2036.
It could now open by 2033, three years ahead of schedule, according to Phoenix Aviation Director Chad Makovsky.
Phoenix airport Terminal West has a new projected opening date - AZ Central - 17 Dec 2025
