St. George Isn’t Such a Small Town Anymore!

St. George has long been known for sunshine, red rock, outdoor recreation, and a slower pace of life. For many years, getting in and out of Southern Utah meant a two hour drive to Las Vegas or a long trip up to Salt Lake City. That is changing quickly, and St. George Regional Airport is one of the clearest signs of how much the region has grown.

The airport now serves more than 400,000 passengers a year. A new control tower is under construction, and a terminal expansion is working its way through funding. Here is what is happening, what is still undecided, and what it means for people who live in Southern Utah or are thinking about moving here.

ST. GEORGE REGIONAL AIRPORT BY THE NUMBERS

In just a few years, St. George Regional Airport has gone from a quiet regional stop to one of the busiest airports in the state. Here’s a quick snapshot of where things stand today.

The headline number is the passenger count. In 2025, 431,607 people traveled through St. George Regional Airport, the most in its history and roughly 25 percent more than the year before. That kind of jump is why SGU now ranks as the third busiest airport in Utah, and why the current terminal is feeling the squeeze.

The rest of the snapshot shows how the airport is responding. A proposed expansion would grow the terminal from three gates to seven, at an estimated cost of about $92 million. Funding for that project is still being finalized, so construction has not started yet. Meanwhile, a new air traffic control tower is already under construction and targeted to open by June 2027, which should make it easier to add flights over time.

For travelers today, the most practical number is five: year round nonstop service to Salt Lake City, Denver, Phoenix, Dallas Fort Worth, and Los Angeles. Each section below digs into one piece of this story, from the passenger growth and terminal plans to the funding questions and what it all means for living in St. George.

A FAST GROWING AIRPORT IN A FAST GROWING REGION

The 2025 record didn’t come out of nowhere. St. George Regional Airport set a record with 346,349 commercial passengers in 2024, edging past the previous high of 325,853 set in 2021. Then traffic took off. Passenger counts jumped to 431,607 in 2025, and airport leaders report that totals through the first half of 2026 were running well ahead of that pace.

To understand how unusual that is, consider the benchmark. Airport Director Dustin Warren has said St. George’s growth  ran about five times higher than the 3 percent annual increase the Federal Aviation Administration expected for the airport. Growth like that has lifted SGU into the top three busiest airports in Utah, behind only Salt Lake City International and Provo.

What’s Driving the Demand

The airport’s growth mirrors the region’s. Washington County’s population reached an estimated 213,670 in 2025, up about 18.5 percent from the 2020 census count of 180,279. That’s tens of thousands of new residents in five years, many of whom still have family, clients, and careers tied to other cities.

Visitors are part of the story too. Southern Utah draws travelers from around the world for its national parks, golf, trails, and events like IRONMAN, and more of them are choosing to fly directly into St. George instead of landing in Las Vegas and driving in.

And some of those visitors don’t leave. It’s a familiar pattern in Southern Utah: people come for a vacation, fall for the red rock and the pace of life, and start looking at homes. An airport with nonstop flights to major hubs makes that move easier to imagine, because it means relocating here doesn’t mean cutting ties with everywhere else.

Why It Matters

Put those forces together and the result is a small airport handling big airport demand. That’s the pressure behind the terminal expansion and the new control tower, and it’s why decisions being made right now will shape how easy it is to come and go from St. George for decades.

WHY THE TERMINAL NEEDS TO GROW

The current terminal is about 35,000 square feet, and it is under strain. Warren has described the building as out of space and has said seating capacity is already full. During busy travel periods, gate areas and parking fill up quickly.

St. George also has an airline advantage that few cities its size enjoy. SkyWest, the world’s largest regional airline, is headquartered in St. George and operates all commercial flights from the airport on behalf of United, Delta, and American.

WHAT THE TERMINAL EXPANSION INCLUDES

The 2026 state budget describes the project as expanding the terminal from three gates to seven, and airport leaders have discussed a long term plan of eight gates. Plans include new second level gates, expanded baggage claim, ticketing, and security areas, and larger passenger waiting and secure areas.

Airport leadership has also emphasized keeping what makes SGU convenient. Warren has said the goal is for the terminal’s flow to stay the way it is. Short walks, quick security lines, and simple parking are a big reason many locals prefer flying from home.

A NEW CONTROL TOWER IS ALREADY GOING UP

Rendering

80 ft

Tower height

$15M

Funded by the State of Utah

1st

Tower in Utah outside the Wasatch Front

Jun 2027

Target to be certified and operational

While the terminal works through funding, the airfield is getting its biggest upgrade yet. Crews broke ground on St. George’s first air traffic control tower in August 2025, and a beam signing ceremony followed in January 2026. Until the tower opens, flights in and out of St. George are directed remotely by controllers in Los Angeles.

The 80 foot tower has a  June 2027 deadline to be certified and operational and will be the first in Utah outside the Wasatch Front. The Utah Legislature provided $15 million to build it. The tower matters for travelers too: according to Warren, without it the airport could not increase flight frequency to meet demand.

WHO IS PAYING FOR IT, AND WHAT IS STILL UNDECIDED

At a September 15, 2026, county hearing, the terminal expansion was estimated at about $92 million. The City of St. George has committed $21 million, and the state has appropriated $10 million. The city had originally asked the Legislature for $20 million and received half that amount.

To help close the gap, Washington County is considering up to $50 million in sales tax revenue bonds, repaid with tourism related taxes like the transient room tax rather than property taxes. County Commissioner Adam Snow has said no tax increase is being proposed. Repaying the full amount over the life of the bonds is estimated at about $97.6 million, including interest.

The bond is not final. Commissioners closed the September hearing without taking action and are continuing to evaluate the proposal. Some residents have raised concerns about long term debt, and the bond has become a topic in the county commission race heading into the November election.

No construction start date has been announced. Warren has said the timeline remains uncertain because construction costs keep changing. This post will be updated as decisions are made.

NONSTOP FLIGHTS FROM ST. GEORGE

All flights are operated by SkyWest on behalf of the partner airline. Los Angeles service returned in September 2024 through United Express after a four year break.

What Happened to the Chicago Flight?

In summer 2026, United added seasonal Saturday service to Chicago O’Hare, and the first flight arrived on May 23, 2026. The route ended in September 2026, and as of October, United’s schedule shows no St. George flights from Chicago through August 2027. Part of the reason is outside St. George’s control: the FAA has extended its cap on O’Hare flights through October 2027, which limits how many routes United can run from Chicago.

The good news is that the Chicago test showed there is demand for longer routes from Southern Utah. Whether it returns is worth watching.

Why Schedules Change Through the Year

SkyWest has described St. George as a rather seasonal market, with schedules often increasing for peak periods and major events such as IRONMAN. Before booking, confirm routes and dates with United, Delta, or American, or check the St. George Regional Airport website.

The Tradeoff: Price

Convenience is not always cheaper. Flights from St. George can cost several hundred dollars more than flights from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, about two hours away. Many residents compare both, flying from SGU when time matters and driving to Las Vegas when price matters. More gates and more flights could help narrow that gap over time.

WHAT BETTER AIR ACCESS MEANS FOR SOUTHERN UTAH

For residents: Shorter trips to and from the airport make family visits, work travel, and weekend getaways easier to plan.

For businesses and remote workers: Nonstop service to five major hubs puts much of the country within one connection. City estimates put airport generated tax receipts near $23 million in 2026, and Mayor Jimmie Hughes has called the airport an economic engine for the region.

For retirees: Washington County has a higher share of residents 65 and older than the national average. For many retirees, nonstop flights to major hubs make it easier to visit children and grandchildren, and a smaller airport with short walks and simple check in is a real quality of life benefit.

For people considering a move: Travel needs are worth weighing alongside housing, schools, healthcare, and commute times. Air access alone will not decide a move, but it is a factor many people overlook until they need it.

WHAT AIRPORT GROWTH MEANS FOR REAL ESTATE

Infrastructure projects like a new control tower and a larger terminal shape how a community lives and grows. They can make a region more convenient for people who travel frequently or keep ties to family and work in other states.

That said, airport growth does not guarantee rising home values, and no one should choose a home based on an infrastructure project alone. Neighborhood, budget, commute, schools, and the type of home all matter more. The value of following projects like this is understanding where a community is headed before making a decision.

WHY ST. GEORGE STILL FEELS LIKE HOME

For all the growth, St. George has not lost what draws people here. Snow Canyon State Park, Sand Hollow State Park, and the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area are close to town, and Zion National Park is about an hour away. Zion drew 4,984,525 recreation visits in 2025, making it the second most visited national park in the country. Mild winters keep hiking, biking, and golf on the calendar year round.

Growth also brings pressure on housing, roads, water, and public services. The University of Utah’s Gardner Policy Institute recently lowered its long range projection for Washington County to about 175,255 additional residents by 2065. The county is still expected to rank among the fastest growing in the state, a reminder that thoughtful planning matters as much as momentum.

That balance is the real appeal of St. George today: red rock, sunshine, and a slower pace at home, with a growing airport that keeps residents connected to the rest of the country.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does St. George have a commercial airport?
Yes. St. George Regional Airport (SGU) offers commercial flights operated by SkyWest for United, Delta, and American.

Where can you fly nonstop from St. George?
Year round nonstop service reaches Salt Lake City, Denver, Phoenix, Dallas Fort Worth, and Los Angeles. Confirm schedules with the airline before booking.

Is there still a flight from St. George to Chicago?
Not right now. United ran seasonal Saturday service to Chicago O’Hare in summer 2026, but the route ended in September and is not currently scheduled through August 2027.

Is the St. George airport terminal expansion approved?
Not fully. The city has committed $21 million and the state appropriated $10 million toward an estimated $92 million project. Washington County is still evaluating a bond of up to $50 million, and no construction date has been set.

How many gates will the expanded terminal have?
The 2026 state budget describes expanding the terminal from three gates to seven.

When will the new control tower open?
The tower is under construction, with a June 2027 deadline to be certified and operational.

Is flying from St. George more expensive than flying from Las Vegas?
It can be. Fares from SGU can run higher than from Las Vegas, about two hours away, so many travelers compare both.

Is St. George a good place to live if you travel often?
For many people, yes. Nonstop service to five major hubs and short security lines make frequent travel practical, and the tower and terminal projects should add capacity over time.

THINKING ABOUT A MOVE TO ST. GEORGE?

Whether you are relocating from out of state or just trading the Wasatch Front for more sunshine, I would love to help you figure out if St. George is the right fit. We can talk through neighborhoods, how often you travel, what you want your day to day to look like, and what makes sense for your budget. No pressure, just honest local guidance.

Call or text me at (385) 360 8179, or visit my profile to learn more about how I work with buyers and sellers in Southern Utah.

About The Author

Eric Smith

Red Sign Real Estate Team • KW Ascend, Keller Williams Realty

Eric Smith specializes in helping families and investors find their perfect home in Southern Utah. With deep roots in the community and expertise in the local real estate market, Eric is committed to answering your questions and guiding you through every step of your home purchase.

Call (385) 360 8179 View Eric's Profile