New flight paths for planes landing at Palm Springs International Airport have resulted in a spike in noise complaints by local residents, particularly from Indian Wells. The new path has prompted the city of Indian Wells to push for changes from the Federal Aviation Administration — and to weigh its legal options.
The revised flight path for arriving planes appears to go directly over the city at a turn near Highway 111, before running parallel to the foothills in Rancho Mirage and Cathedral City, according to flight path data reviewed by The Desert Sun. The prior path typically began its turn along the mountains farther south, closer to La Quinta.
New flight paths for arrivals and departures in Palm Springs were implemented in June 2025 by the FAA, which did not immediately notify local airport officials of the changes. FAA officials have described the new routes as a way to improve safety and efficiency for pilots while reducing air traffic control workloads.
The change has already drawn a threefold increase in noise-related complaints this year. Though mid-April, the Palm Springs airport had received roughly 300 complaints, whereas it typically sees under 100 complaints per year, according to airport spokesperson Jake Ingrassia. He noted some of the submissions are coming from repeat individuals, as well as “geographic concentration in specific areas of the Coachella Valley, which the airport continues to review.”
“To be clear, PSP does not determine aircraft flight paths or altitudes and has no authority to change them,” Ingrassia told The Desert Sun in an email. “Once airborne, aircraft operations, including routing and altitude, are managed by the Federal Aviation Administration. Under the Aircraft Noise and Capacity Act of 1990, airports are also prohibited from setting curfews, limiting flights, or restricting aircraft types or where they fly.”
“The airport’s goal is to be a great neighbor and strong community partner while helping to educate residents on the nuances of aviation noise and directing them to the appropriate authority, the FAA,” he added.
In response to questions from The Desert Sun about the recent complaints, an FAA spokesperson said in an email that the agency “takes community feedback seriously and we are working with the Palm Springs airport and local stakeholders to better understand and address concerns where possible.”
The increase in noise complaints occurred as the Palm Springs airport has seen fewer total flights since 2023, even as it drew a record 3.3 million passengers in 2025. That’s possible because airlines are using larger, mainline aircraft that are able to carry more passengers per plane, as Ingrassia explained during a presentation to the Palm Springs Airport Commission in February.
Beyond the noise complaints, Indian Wells Mayor Toper Taylor said in an interview that city officials have also identified potential safety issues related to the flight path’s proximity to planes coming and going from the small private airport in Bermuda Dunes.
“We need to encourage the FAA to move the new landing pattern for Palm Springs down-valley so as not to conflict with Bermuda Dunes,” Taylor said.
During the Indian Wells City Council’s meeting in April, the council authorized retaining special legal counsel to advise the city on the new flight paths and to discuss its legal options. Taylor noted other cities, including Newport Beach and Phoenix, have successfully challenged FAA flight paths in court.
The mayor acknowledged they “are just beginning this process,” and described the FAA and the airport as “very cooperative” so far in discussions with the city. The Indian Wells City Council plans to revisit the topic during its May 21 meeting.
Even if the FAA agrees to revise the flight paths, any changes could take a while. During the airport commission’s February meeting, Harry Barrett Jr., the Palm Springs airport’s executive director (who’s leaving for a new role in Sacramento County later this month) noted a “fairly lengthy” process for the FAA to adjust its procedures.
“I know the go-to solution for a lot of communities is move the approach pattern somewhere else. Guess what? That’s moving it over somebody else’s house,” Barrett said at the time. “My understanding is the review of this flight pattern change started back in 2021… Just putting that out there for the community to manage expectations on some of these things.”
Tom Coulter covers local government and politics for The Desert Sun. Reach him at tcoulter@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Noise complaints jump after new flight paths at Palm Springs airport
Reporting by Tom Coulter, Palm Springs Desert Sun / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
