Overview
- San Francisco International Airport published a request for proposals and set a formal bid window from Sept. 30 through Oct. 7 with a goal to award a long‑term ground lease by December and open the facility no earlier than late 2028.
- The proposed private terminal would sit on Plot 42 off North Access Road and offer standalone TSA and customs screening, a luxury lounge, and a car‑to‑plane valet service separate from the main terminals.
- SFO’s RFP requires bidders to have at least two years operating private terminals and $15 million a year in related gross sales, offers a 14‑year lease with a two‑year option, and sets minimum annual guarantees starting at $1.5 million in year one and rising to 5–7% of gross revenue.
- Established operators and international investors attended SFO’s informational meeting, with firms such as PS and Terminal BTG Pactual expressing interest and some asking whether SFO’s qualification rules are too restrictive.
- Airport officials say the plan responds to growing demand for premium travel as passenger volumes rise and delays from runway work and a federal ban on parallel landings pressure terminal capacity, while critics note the service will be costly and reserved for wealthier travelers.