From a re-envisioned Terminal 1 to new and expanded routes, there’s a whole lot happening at San Diego International Airport

By James Hebert

Excitement is taking wing these days at San Diego International Airport, with the start of a major project to renovate Terminal 1, plus the welcome addition of new carriers and routes and the return of others.

The airport celebrated the official groundbreaking for the New T1 on Dec. 13. The $3.4 billion project will bring a brand-new Terminal 1 as well as improved transportation links to the airport, a new administration building and upgrades to the airfield.

Airport officials estimate the project will create 15,000 to 20,000 new jobs.

Among features of the New T1 will be a new parking plaza, an outdoor patio area, an expanded security checkpoint, new arts components and a children’s play area. A three-lane access roadway will route traffic from Laurel Street directly to the airport, taking 45,000 vehicles a day off Harbor Drive.

The project also incorporates energy- and water-conservation measures and clean-air initiatives, with a goal to achieve LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Work on the New T1 will proceed in phases through 2028.

As construction progresses, the airport reminds visitors that there will be impacts on parking availability and locations; click here for full info.

In other key developments, several carriers have announced new or expanded international service out of San Diego International. Here’s a rundown:

• Lufthansa announced it will add nonstop service between Munich and San Diego beginning March 31. The German airline‘s addition will make this the first-ever nonstop service between the two cities. Service will initially be three days a week before expanding to five days a week in May.
• The Canadian low-cost carrier Swoop inaugurated service between Edmonton and San Diego in October. The new route from the carrier, a newcomer to San Diego International, represents the only nonstop service between the two cities. Current service is one day a week, expanding in March to three days a week.
• Air Canada is now flying twice daily between San Diego and Vancouver. That will increase to three times a day May 1. The airline’s service between San Diego and Toronto is also scheduled to return in March.
• Another Canadian carrier, WestJet, resumed its nonstop flights between San Diego and Calgary in October. WestJet had suspended service in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Service to Calgary is currently two days a week, increasing to three days weekly in May.
• British Airways also resumed its nonstop service between San Diego and London in October, after suspending it in March 2020. The airline became the first carrier to resume nonstop service between San Diego and Europe. The London service currently five days a week but will return to daily service March 11.
• Japan Airlines temporarily suspended its nonstop service between San Diego and Tokyo in late January. It will resume flying four days a week on Feb. 1.

And don’t forget: When you’re ready to head out from the airport and explore San Diego, you can hop on the brand-new Flyer electric shuttle, providing free regular service between both main terminals and the Old Town Transit Center, a major transportation hub for the region. Read all about the Flyer here.