Philadelphia International Airport

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Philadelphia International Airport

IATA: PHL – ICAO: KPHL – FAA: PHL
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner City of Philadelphia
Serves Delaware Valley
Elevation AMSL 36 ft / 11 m
Coordinates 39°52′19″N 075°14′28″W / 39.87194°N 75.24111°W / 39.87194; -75.24111Coordinates: 39°52′19″N 075°14′28″W / 39.87194°N 75.24111°W / 39.87194; -75.24111
Website http://www.phl.org/index.html
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
8/26 5,000 1,524 Asphalt
9L/27R 9,500 2,896 Asphalt
9R/27L 10,506 3,202 Asphalt
17/35 6,500[1] 1,664 Asphalt
Statistics (2007)
Aircraft operations 499,653
Source: Airports Council International[2]

Philadelphia International Airport (IATA: PHL, ICAO: KPHL, FAA LID: PHL) is an airport in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is the largest airport in the Delaware Valley region and in Pennsylvania. As of 2008 it is the 10th busiest airport in the world in terms of aircraft activity.[3] The airport is the primary international hub of US Airways and has service to destinations in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Europe, Israel, and Mexico, and may in the future provide service directly to China, as US Airways may begin service to Beijing in Spring 2010. [4] Most of the airport property is located in Philadelphia proper. The international terminal and the western end of the airfield are located in Tinicum Township, Delaware County.

Contents

[edit] History

Starting in 1925, the Pennsylvania National Guard used the PHL site (historically known as Hog Island) as a training field for its airplane pilots. The site was dedicated as the "Philadelphia Municipal Airport" by Charles Lindbergh in 1927. However, there was no proper terminal building until 1940, so airlines used an airfield in nearby Camden, New Jersey. Once the terminal was completed, four airlines (American, Eastern, TWA, and United) started flights to the airport.

Aerial view.
US Airways Airbus A330 landing at PHL, as seen from Fort Mifflin

[edit] World War II use

During World War II the United States Army Air Forces used the airport as a First Air Force training airfield.[5][6][7]

Beginning in 1940, the Coatsville-based Rising Sun School of Aeronautics performed primary flight training at the airport under contract to the Air Corps, and after the Pearl Harbor Attack, the I Fighter Command Philadelphia Fighter Wing provided air defense of the Delaware Valley area from the airport. Throughout the war, various fighter and bomber groups were organized and trained at Philadelphia airport and assigned to the Philadelphia Fighter Wing before being sent to advanced training airfields, or being deployed overseas. Known units assigned were the 33d, 327th, 58th, 355th and 358th Fighter Groups.

In June 1943, I Fighter Command transferred jurisdiction of the airport to the Air Technical Service Command (ATSC). ATSC established a sub-depot of the Middletown Air Depot at the airport. The 855th Army Air Forces Specialized Depot unit repaired and overhauled aircraft and returned them to active service. In addition, the Army Air Forces Training Command established the Philco Training School, on 1 Jan 1943 which trained personnel in radio repair and operations.

Throughout 1945, the Air Force started winding down its use of the airport, with it being returned to full civil control in September.

[edit] Modern use

Philadelphia Municipal became Philadelphia International in 1945, when American Overseas Airlines began flights to Europe.

In the 1980's, PHL hosted several hub operations. From about airline Deregulation in 1978 until 1982, a small regional carrier called Altair Airlines ran a small hub at PHL using Fokker F-28 jet aircraft. Altair ran flights to regional points such as Rochester and Hartford, and to Florida. Altair shut down in 1982. In the mid-1980's, Eastern Air Lines opened a hub in Concourse C. The airline declined in the late 1980's and sold aircraft and gate leases to Chicago-based Midway Airlines (1976-1991). Midway ran its Philadelphia hub until it shut down in 1991--the same year Eastern shut down. During the 1980's, US Airways (then called USAir) developed a hub at PHL.

US Airways became the dominant carrier at PHL through the 1980s and 1990s and shifted the majority of its hub operations from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia in 2003. In 2004, Southwest Airlines announced it would begin flights from PHL, challenging US Airways in some of the major's important north-south and transcontinental markets and is the airline's largest competitor at the airport.

Today, Philadelphia International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world and among the fastest growing in the United States. Its status as a US Airways hub and the growth of Southwest Airlines and other low-cost carriers has helped passenger traffic to reach record levels. In 2004, a total of 28,507,420 passengers flew through Philadelphia, up 15.5% over 2003.[2] In 2005, 31,502,855 passengers flew through PHL, marking a 10% increase since 2004. [3] In 2006, 31,768,272 passengers flew through PHL, a 0.9% increase. [4]

Such growth has not come without difficulties. There are questions as to how much more passenger growth can occur. PHL's present terminal and runway configuration are reaching full utilization alongside the fact that PHL remains the world's largest airport without an inground fueling system (thus requiring fuel to be trucked to each airplane), have led to congestion and flight delays. Additionally, the airport's parking facilities have been severely taxed. Complete exhaustion of all parking at the airport has become a regular occurrence.[5] However, airport officials have ambitious plans for terminal and runway expansion to resolve these issues.

PHL's fastest growing airline, Southwest, has been working with the City and the airport to expand and improve its facilities. Southwest recently completed construction of a joint ticket counter lobby for the D and E terminals, one large security check point for the two terminals, and additional concessions. A hammerhead expansion to the E concourse is still planned.

[edit] Air Traffic and Rankings

With 499,653 total flight movements in 2008, Philadelphia International Airport ranks 11th in world, behind Charlotte, North Carolina in terms of aircraft movement.[8] As recently as 2006, the airport ranked 9th in terms of aircraft movement, but was passed in 2007 by Charles de Gaulle International Airport and by Charlotte/Douglas International Airport. It does not rank in the top 30 rankings for either passenger or cargo movement.[9] In 2008 the airport handled a total of 31.8 million passengers, which for passenger movement would rank it after Charlotte (#30), which handled 33.1 million passengers in 2008. The world's busiest airport in terms of passenger movement in 2008 was Atlanta's Hartfield International Airport with 90,039,280 passengers, nearly three times the passengers that passed through Philadelphia International Airport the same year. Statistics on passenger origination and termination (with PHL airport as an originating or final destination) are not widely available.

[edit] Economic Impact

Philadelphia International Airport is important to Philadelphia, its metropolitan region and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth's Aviation Bureau reported in its Pennsylvania Air Service Monitor that the total economic impact made by the state's airports in 2004 was $22 billion. PHL alone accounted for $14 billion or 63% of total. The calculations include both direct spending and the multiplier effect of that spending throughout the state's economy.[6]

[edit] Runway expansion

Aerial view of construction of runway 8/26

As of 2005, there are two studies which deal with expanding runway capacity at PHL airport. The first is the Runway 17-35 Extension Project EIS [7] which has completed the Final Environmental Impact Statement and ground has recently been broken. The plan is to extend runway 17-35 to length of 6,500 feet, extending it at both ends and incorporating the proper runway safety areas. The second study, the PHL Capacity Enhancement Program [8] has a much larger scope and is considering more drastic ways to increase runway capacity at PHL. Manchester Airport's expansion plans for a second parallel runway involved working closely with PHL air traffic controllers to implement a training program due to similarities in runway configuration in which aircraft must taxi over an active runway. Projected completion March 2009 In an effort to alleviate existing and forecast delays, the City of Philadelphia will complete major improvements to increase airfield capacity at PHL. The Runway 17-35 Extension Project will provide a short-term delay reduction. The major components of the entire project include:

Extension of Runway 17-35; Extension of parallel Taxiways D and E; Construction of a High Speed Taxiway for Runway 35 landings exiting to Taxiway E; Construction of an Aircraft Holding Apron at Runway 35 end; Relocation of Airside Perimeter Service Roads at Runway 17 and Runway 35 ends; Installation of High Intensity Runway Lighting (HIRL) and Medium Intensity Taxiway Lighting (MITL); Modifications to airfield signs; Substantial relocation/modification of navigational aids (NAVAIDS): Demolition of existing Taxiways D2 and E2; Modifications to existing Economy Parking Lot; Re-designation of existing State Route (SR) 291 north of Airport; Modifications to Bartram Avenue from the SR 291 intersection to Island Ave., SR 291 and I-95 ramps; Demolition of SR 291 at Runway 17 extension work area; Construction of Landside Service Road adjacent to I-95 right-of-way limit; Associated drainage, grading and utility relocations/modifications. The first phase (IG), which allowed for the redesignation of Route 291, is complete. The remaining phases I, II and III are in progress.

[edit] Ground transportation

Taxis charge a flat rate of $28.50 from the airport to central Philadelphia.

SEPTA operates regional rail service and bus service between the airport and the surrounding area via R1 Commuter Rail line and bus routes 37 (South Philadelphia to Eastwick and Chester Transportation Ctr via Philadelphia International Airport), 108 (69th Street Terminal to Philadelphia International Airport or UPS) and 305 (Darby Transportation Center to Philadelphia International Airport) with convenient stops at University City, Amtrak’s 30th Street, Suburban, and Market East Stations.

Further information: Philadelphia International Airport Terminals (SEPTA station)


Rental cars are available through a number of companies, all of which must be reached by shuttle bus.

As a benefit to students, local schools including The University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, and Swarthmore College have provided transportation to the Airport by means of shuttles during such times as Spring Break and Thanksgiving.

[edit] Terminals, airlines and destinations

Philadelphia International Airport has seven terminal buildings, which are divided into seven lettered concourses. Terminals A East and A West, B, C, D, and E are all interconnected, and it is possible to travel through all of these without reentering security. Terminal F, completed in 2003, is completely separate from these terminals. There are, however, shuttle buses inside security between Terminal F and Terminal C using gate C16, an old US Airways Express gate and between Terminal F and Terminal A, at gate A1. There is a large shopping/dining area between Concourses B and C.

Ongoing construction at the airport will add new passenger facilities between Terminals D and E, connecting E to the rest of the Terminal complex.

The Philadelphia metropolitan area is the largest in the United States without nonstop flights to East Asia. This is most likely due to its proximity to major airports in New York City and Washington D.C. In July 2007, US Airways announced that it would seek federal approval for a non-stop route between Philadelphia and Beijing, China.

On September 26th, 2007, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced it has awarded US Airways a new route between its Philadelphia hub and the Chinese capital city of Beijing. The daily service to China was originally intended to begin on March 25, 2009 with a wide-body Airbus A340 aircraft configured to seat 269 (42 Envoy and 227 economy). US Airways, however, shortly after winning the route, announced that it would seek to the US Department of Transportation to delay the Philadelphia-Beijing flight until Spring 2010[10]. As of April 2009, US Airways had no aircraft that could make the flight from Philadelphia to Beijing.

US Airways CEO Doug Parker said he hopes the airline would fly to three additional international destinations including Tel Aviv by the summer of 2009 from Philadelphia.[11]

[edit] Future Airport Improvement Plans

Terminal D&E connector under construction Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 in the foreground

It is expected in 2007 that there will be a relocation of airlines, with the upcoming renovation of Terminals D and E. Delta Air Lines has moved from Terminal E to Terminal A East, Frontier Airlines is expected to move to either A East or Terminal D.[9] PHL 1247.14/15/16/17 - Terminals D/E Connector Building Phase IA $20M Projected completion November 2007 PHL 1247.24/25/26/27/2B/2E - Terminals D/E Connector Building Phase IB $91M Projected completion December 2008 PHL 1247.34/35/36/37/3E - Term. D/E Ticketing Renovations & Bag Claim Phase II $91M Projected completion February 2010 This project consists of a new multi-level connector building between Terminals D and E, a 50,000 SF addition to the Terminal E concourse, a 9,000 SF connector building between Bag Claims D and E, and various renovations to areas within the two terminals and the adjacent Thermal Plant.

Phases IA and IB are the new multi-level connector building between Terminals D and E. The first level will house a new baggage make-up area, which would replace the existing areas in each of the terminals. This area will also contain an Explosive Detection System (EDS), to be operated by the TSA as part of an in-line baggage screening system. The second level will be a 14-lane passenger security screening area serving both terminals, and the third level will house Division of Aviation offices and have space for an airline club. The Phase IA portion that is finishing up, consisted of site work, building foundations, utility relocation and structural steel placement for the connector building. Work on Phase IB has commenced in July 2007 and will complete the connector building.

The modifications to existing terminal buildings will include an increase of 23 ticket counter positions with larger queuing spaces, increased public circulation, new concessions and other tenant spaces. The Terminal E Concourse will be expanded with the construction of a 2-level addition at the end of the concourse. Airline Operations space will be at ground level. The second level will provide hold rooms, concessions, rest rooms and operations space to accommodate three new gates and four relocated gates. The Bag Claim buildings for Terminals D & E will be connected with a one story addition that will contain two new baggage carousels.

[edit] Terminals, airlines and destinations

[edit] Terminal A West

One of the two newest terminal buildings at the airport, Concourse A West has a very modern and innovative design. Opened in 2003 as the new international terminal, it is now home to all international flights (except Canada), and also some US Airways domestic flights. It offers a variety of international dining options.

International Arrivals (except from locations with Customs preclearance) are processed at the Terminal A West arrival building.

Terminal A-West contains 13 gates: A-14 to A-26.

Airlines Destinations
Air France Paris-Charles de Gaulle [ends October 4]
British Airways London-Heathrow
Frontier Airlines Denver
Lufthansa Frankfurt
US Airways Amsterdam, Antigua [seasonal], Aruba, Athens [seasonal], Barbados, Barcelona [seasonal], Beijing-Capital [begins Spring 2010][12][13], Bermuda, Birmingham (UK) [seasonal], Brussels [seasonal], Cancún, Charlotte, Dublin, Frankfurt, Freeport, Glasgow-International [seasonal], Grand Cayman, Lisbon [seasonal], London-Gatwick [ends September 8], London-Heathrow, Madrid, Manchester (UK), Milan-Malpensa [seasonal], Montego Bay, Munich, Nassau, Oslo-Gardermoen [seasonal], Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Providenciales, Punta Cana, Rome-Fiumicino, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San Jose de Costa Rica, San Juan, Santo Domingo, Shannon [seasonal], Stockholm-Arlanda [seasonal], Tel Aviv, Venice-Marco Polo [seasonal], Zürich [seasonal]

[edit] Terminal A East

This terminal, originally the airport's international terminal, is now used mainly by domestic carriers, but also sometimes by US Airways for international flights. A East is well upgraded and well maintained, and recently received a new baggage claim upgrade.


Despite in Terminal A-East that some international airlines use the terminal for departing flights (e.g. Air Jamaica, certain destinations of USA3000), those airlines who transported passengers from any area requiring a passport always park their aircraft in Terminal A-West, which is the only terminal that provides US Immigration/Customs facilities & services, primarily due to gate usage efficiency.

Terminal A-East contains 13 gates: A-1 to A-13.

Airlines Destinations
Air Jamaica Montego Bay (arrivals in Terminal A-West)
American Airlines Chicago-O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, San Juan
American Eagle Chicago-O'Hare
AmericanConnection operated by Chautauqua Airlines St. Louis
Delta Air Lines Atlanta, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Paris-Charles de Gaulle [begins October 5], Salt Lake City
Delta Connection operated by Comair Atlanta, Boston [ends August 18], Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, New York-JFK
Midwest Airlines Milwaukee
Midwest Connect operated by Republic Airlines Milwaukee [14]
Midwest Connect operated by SkyWest Airlines Milwaukee
US Airways See Concourse A West
USA3000 Airlines Cancún, Fort Myers, Punta Cana

[edit] Terminals B and C

Terminals B and C are the two main US Airways terminals. They are connected to each other through a very large shopping mall and food court, the Philadelphia Marketplace. The gate waiting areas have recently within the past year started getting remodeled, though there is a lack of waiting space at many of the gates, but aesthetically, the terminal is in good condition. The facilities are fairly modern and dining options on the concourses are also available.

Terminal B contains 16 gates: B-1 to B-16, and Terminal C contains 16 gates: C-16 to C-31.

Airlines Destinations
US Airways Albany, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago-O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Greensboro, Hartford/Springfield, Jacksonville, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Manchester (NH), Miami, New Orleans, Norfolk, Orlando, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland (OR), Providence, Raleigh/Durham, Richmond, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma, Syracuse, Tampa, Washington-Reagan, West Palm Beach
US Airways Express operated by Republic Airlines Albany, Buffalo, Burlington (VT), Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas/Fort Worth, Greensboro, Hartford/Springfield, Houston-Intercontinental, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Manchester (NH), Minneapolis/St. Paul, Montreal, Myrtle Beach [seasonal], Nashville, New York-LaGuardia, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Portland (ME), Providence, Raleigh/Durham, Rochester (NY), Syracuse, Toronto-Pearson, Washington-Reagan, Wilmington (NC)

[edit] Terminal D

Terminal D along with Terminal E were upgraded at the end of 2008 with a new concourse connecting the two terminals, providing combined ticketing for the two terminals and a variety of shops and restaurants, similar to the one between Terminals B and C, and a connector building between Baggage Claims D and E. This terminal is connected to the shopping area of Terminals B/C through a post-security walkway.

Terminal D contains 16 gates: D-1 to D-16.

Airlines Destinations
Air Canada Jazz Toronto-Pearson
AirTran Airways Atlanta, Orlando
Continental Airlines Houston-Intercontinental
Continental Connection operated by CommutAir Newark
Continental Express operated by ExpressJet Airlines Cleveland
United Airlines Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco
United Express operated by Mesa Airlines Washington-Dulles
United Express operated by Trans States Airlines Washington-Dulles

[edit] Terminal E

This terminal is also slated for renovations. Like in Terminal D, food selections are generally limited. Ticketing areas are strained for space because of Southwest's rapid growth. Also strained by Southwest's growth is the baggage claim area. It serves Southwest passengers arriving in both Terminals D and E, in a very limited space. Overall, the baggage claim area is in dismal condition, requiring very heavy operations in a very cramped area. Also, the baggage area has troubles with heating in winter, due to the close proximity of the doors to the carousels. To help reduce the congestion problems in the baggage area, Southwest now shares AirTran's baggage carousel in the Terminal D baggage claim for passengers arriving there. It also has its own baggage services office located nearby in D. Delta Air Lines, which previously operated out of Terminal E, moved to Terminal A East on November 15, 2007.

Terminal E contains 11 gates at pre-renovation: E-1 to E-10 and E-12.

Airlines Destinations
Northwest Airlines Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul
Northwest Airlink operated by Pinnacle Airlines Detroit, Memphis
Southwest Airlines Austin, Chicago-Midway, Columbus (OH), Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Houston-Hobby, Jacksonville (FL), Las Vegas, Manchester (NH), Nashville, Orlando, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence, Raleigh/Durham, St. Louis, San Antonio, Tampa, West Palm Beach

[edit] Terminal F (Concourses 1, 2, and 3)

Terminal F is a regional terminal, for US Airways Express flights. It includes special jet bridges that allow passengers to board commuter planes without walking on the tarmac. Opened in 2001, Terminal F was the second layer of the two newest terminal buildings at Philadelphia International.

When Terminal F opened in 2001, it was provided with 10,000 SF of concessions.[15]


Terminal F contains 39 gates: F-1 to F-39.

Airlines Destinations
US Airways Express operated by Air Wisconsin Atlanta, Baltimore, Bangor (ME), Binghamton (NY), Buffalo, Burlington (VT), Chicago-O'Hare, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky, Charleston (SC), Cleveland, Detroit, Elmira/Corning, Erie, Greensboro, Indianapolis, Ithaca, Kansas City, Long Island/Islip, Louisville, Milwaukee, Newburgh, New York-LaGuardia, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Portland (ME), Providence, Raleigh/Durham, Richmond, Rochester (NY), Toronto-Pearson, Washington-Reagan
US Airways Express operated by Chautauqua Airlines Baltimore, Louisville, Newburgh, New York-LaGuardia, Rochester (NY), Syracuse, Washington-Reagan
US Airways Express operated by Piedmont Airlines Albany, Allentown/Bethlehem, Baltimore, Binghamton (NY), Buffalo, Burlington (VT), Charlottesville-Albemarle, Elmira/Corning, Harrisburg, Ithaca, Long Island/Islip, New Haven, Newburgh, Newport News, New York-LaGuardia, Newark, Portland (ME), Richmond, Roanoke, Salisbury, State College, Syracuse, White Plains, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Williamsport
US Airways Express operated by PSA Airlines Akron/Canton, Allentown/Bethlehem, Atlanta, Columbia (SC), Dayton, Indianapolis, Knoxville, Nashville, New York-LaGuardia, White Plains, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

[edit] Incidents

On Sunday, November 16, 2008, Flight 4551, a US Airways Express deHavilland Dash-8 turboprop operated by Piedmont Airlines, took off from Lehigh Valley International Airport at 8:20am heading to Philadelphia International Airport, had to make an emergency landing. The flight crew indicated that the front nose gear hadn't come down and had to make a flyover the runway for confirmation. Of 35 passengers and 3 crew, there were no injuries.[16]

[edit] See also

Philadelphia portal

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Extended runway open at Philadelphia airport
  2. ^ Airports Council International - Philadelphia Movements for 2007
  3. ^ Airports Council International Final statistics for 2005 traffic movements
  4. ^ US Airways Group requests one-year delay in starting China flights - Phoenix Business Journal:
  5. ^ USAF Historical Research Agency Document Search, Philadelphia Municipal Airport
  6. ^ Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
  7. ^ Maurer, Maurer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0892010975
  8. ^ Airports Council International 2008 Aircraft Movements
  9. ^ Airports Council International 2008 Cargo Movement
  10. ^ US Airways seeks delay of Phila.-Beijing flights
  11. ^ [1]
  12. ^ http://www.dancewithshadows.com/aviation/american-airlines-wants-its-planned-chicago-beijing-non-stop-service-put-off-by-one-year/
  13. ^ http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081222/BIZ/812220335/1001
  14. ^ New Midwest Connect/Republic routes
  15. ^ http://phl.org/news/080527.html
  16. ^ http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081116/ap_on_re_us/emergency_landing


v • d • e
Neighborhoods of the Southwest Philadelphia section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Angora • Bartram Village • Clearview • Eastwick • Elmwood Park • Hedgerow • Hog Island • Kingsessing • Mount Moriah • Paschall • Penrose • Philadelphia International Airport • Southwest Schuylkill
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