Palm Springs International (KPSP), California
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Palm Springs International (KPSP) serves the Coachella Valley with a towered field roughly 3.34 nm from the metro area it supports. The airport offers two paved runways, full-time fuel availability for both 100LL and Jet A, and onsite CBP inspection services backed by a USDA compliance agreement, making it a practical stop for business aviation crossing into the US Southwest. Mountainous terrain to the north and east shapes several published approach and lighting restrictions that dispatchers should review before filing.
Runways
Palm Springs International has two paved runways. The longest, 13R/31L, is 10,000 ft long and 150 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Palm Springs International has Jet A and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Palm Springs International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Palm Springs International recorded 14,527 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in March. Business aviation traffic at KPSP concentrates heavily in the cooler months, with operations peaking from November through April and falling off sharply from June through September.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month March, 2,103 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Palm Springs International averages 31.0 days above 90°F in July and 0.2 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 108.6°F, and December the coldest, at 69.2°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Palm Springs International has published operating constraints in five categories: access, runway notes, noise procedures, pavement strength and other notes.
Rising terrain is located north of the approach end of runway 13R.
For clearance delivery when the tower is closed, contact SoCal Approach.
When the tower is closed, pilots activate the REIL for runways 13R and 31L, the PAPI for runways 13R and 31L, and the HIRL for runway 13R/31L via CTAF. The REIL for runways 13L and 31R, the PAPI for runways 13L and 31R, and the MIRL for runway 13L/31R can also be activated this way, but taxiway E is not lighted when the tower is closed.
The runway 31L PAPI is unusable beyond 4 nautical miles from the threshold due to mountainous terrain.
The VGSI is unusable beyond 8 degrees right of centerline and beyond 4 nautical miles from the threshold due to mountainous terrain.
The approach ratio is 50:1 to the displaced threshold.
Runway 13R is designated as the calm wind runway.
Runway 13L/31R has lighted distance remaining markers on the east side only. Runway 13R/31L has lighted distance remaining markers on the west side only.
Do not mistake the center taxiway, taxiway C, for runway 13R/31L.
The airport lies within a noise sensitive area on all quadrants; pilots should exercise quiet flight procedures. Contact the duty supervisor for further information.
Lengthy engine idling and run-ups on the ramp area are prohibited. Contact airport operations for noise mediation procedures.
PCR VALUE: 140/F/C/X/T
PCR VALUE: 450/F/B/X/T
The VGSI is unusable beyond 9 degrees left of centerline.
Formation landings, takeoffs, and overhead maneuvers are not permitted.
Access to and from the FBO ramp via taxiway G is limited to aircraft with a wingspan of less than 40 feet.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Palm Springs International has five airfields within 27 NM. The closest is Bermuda Dunes (KUDD), 12.56 NM southeast.
Part of the Palm Springs and the Desert area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KPSP
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KPSP.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What runways are available at KPSP?
Palm Springs International (KPSP) has two paved asphalt runways. Runway 13R/31L is the primary runway at 10,000 feet long and 150 feet wide. Runway 13L/31R is shorter, at 4,953 feet long and 75 feet wide. Runway 13R is designated as the calm wind runway. Both runways carry lighting, though coverage and activation differ depending on tower hours.
Are there approach restrictions at Palm Springs International due to terrain?
Yes, Palm Springs International (KPSP) has several visual glide slope indicator limitations tied to mountainous terrain. The PAPI on runway 31L is unusable beyond 4 nautical miles from the threshold due to mountainous terrain. Other VGSI units are restricted beyond specific degrees left or right of centerline, also due to nearby high ground. Rising terrain is also noted north of the approach end of runway 13R. Dispatchers should account for these limits when planning visual approaches.
Is customs available on arrival at KPSP?
Palm Springs International (KPSP) provides onsite CBP inspection services along with a USDA compliance agreement, so international arrivals can typically clear customs at the airport itself. This onsite processing is a factor that supports its use as an entry point for business aviation into the Coachella Valley. Crews should still confirm current inspection arrangements and any USDA-related requirements ahead of arrival, since compliance agreements can carry specific conditions. Fuel is available on the field as well, with both 100LL and Jet A carried year-round.
What noise-related procedures apply at Palm Springs International?
Palm Springs International (KPSP) sits within a noise sensitive area on all quadrants, and pilots are expected to exercise quiet flight procedures. Lengthy engine idling and run-ups on the ramp area are prohibited, and crews needing noise mediation guidance are directed to contact airport operations. Formation landings, takeoffs, and overhead maneuvers are also not permitted. These procedures reflect the airport's proximity to surrounding residential areas in the Coachella Valley.
When does business aviation traffic peak at Palm Springs International?
Business aviation traffic at Palm Springs International (KPSP) peaks in the cooler months, with March recording 2,103 operations and November recording 1,783 operations in 2025, according to FAA TFMSC data. Traffic drops substantially through the summer, with July at only 322 operations and August at 340. This pattern lines up with the airport's climate data, which shows July and August average highs above 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Dispatchers scheduling into KPSP during summer months should expect lighter ramp congestion but higher heat-related performance considerations.