'Fly PSP First' Ad Campaign Launches In Coachella Valley

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA – Local business representatives Monday launched a campaign promoting Palm Springs International Airport to local travelers as a way of boosting the Coachella Valley economy.

The "Fly PSP First" campaign is aimed at steering local businesses and residents to use Palm Springs Airport whenever possible for air travel, both to benefit the local economy and incentivize airlines to add or expand routes at the airport.

"When Coachella Valley residents choose not to fly out of PSP, the money that could have been spent locally is lost and creates a cascading effect on our economy," said Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Joshua Bonner.

"There is less reason for new airlines to pursue Greater Palm Springs as a destination, and there are fewer reasons for airlines that already serve Palm Springs to expand their Palm Springs routes to new destinations, funneling potential future consumers to other destinations," he said. "Those lost routes also represent lost jobs, jobs that ultimately get created elsewhere."

Currently, 10 airlines operate flights from Palm Springs to 18 destinations, which connect to more than 500 destinations worldwide, according to the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce, which launched the campaign with the Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The number of passengers arriving and departing from Palm Springs International Airport has increased by 33 percent since 2009, but local business owners say the airport's economic impact on the region should be highlighted to foster local job creation and expanded service at the airport.

"It is critical that airlines see our business community actively supporting the Palm Springs Airport," said Scott White, president and CEO of the Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. "This new initiative will complement the efforts of the CVB to grow air service at PSP and diversify our local economy."

The campaign is slated to run through at least the summer travel season. To learn more, go to www.flypspfirst.com.

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