When the COVID-19 outbreak ramped up in March, public facilities like airports started focusing on measures to augment daily cleaning routines in an effort to combat the virus.

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) received an $18 million Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for vital airfield infrastructure projects. The funds will be used to reconstruct Taxiway K and rehabilitate Runway 17-35, along with improvements to runway lighting.

In its ongoing effort to deploy the latest security screening technology to keep the traveling public and airports safe and enhance the screening process, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has installed five new state-of-the-art advanced technology computed tomography checkpoint scanners at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). The scanners, which are in use at the A-East (2), D-E (2) and B checkpoints, provide 3-D imaging that allows officers to better determine whether an item inside a carry-on bag is a possible security threat.

PHL, one of the country's top 10 airports for transatlantic travel, has not received a single pasenger flight from Europe or the United Kingdom since March 16. Without a direct transatlantic link, businesses attempting to rebound from the devastating impacts of COVID-19 have little chance of competing against their counterparts in New York City and Washington, D.C., —two metropolitan areas in proximity with approved funneling airport status.

Federal guidelines put into effect in March mandate all air travel between Europe, China and Brazil be routed (“funneled”) to just 15 U.S. airports. PHL, one of the country’s top airports for transatlantic travel, is not on that list, however six airports ranking below PHL for transatlantic traffic have received the funneling airport designation.  

-What is your current position, responsibilities and duties at PHL and how long have you worked here?

In 2019, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) conducted a Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) to better understand and prepare for the impacts of climate change on the airport’s employees, guests, services, surrounding communities, facilities, and assets.

When the COVID-19 pandemic ramped up back in March, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) responded by stepping up its cleaning and disinfecting procedures

As Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has seen more passengers traveling through, more food and retail businesses opening up and more services coming back in recent weeks following a virtual shutdown during the peak of the COVID-19 crisis, PHL was especially happy to see one member of its community open its doors again.

What is your current position at PNE and how long have you worked here?