Contact:

Suzanne Luber Pager

602-273-3450 602-673-5355

Oct. 4, 2000

Beginning Oct. 5, pilots flying into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport will now have a third runway available at the one of the worlds busiest airports. The 7800-foot runway is located on the south side of the airport and is parallel to the current south runway- 8R/26L.

However, before the runway is available to aircraft, critical runway designations and signage will have to be changed. This will occur with the cooperation of nearly 150 electricians, construction workers and airport staff. This group of dedicated employees and contractors will spend approximately six to eight hours beginning at 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 4 changing signage on all three runways at Sky Harbor. Runway and taxiway signs are similar to street and roadway signs, thus allowing the pilots and the FAA air traffic controllers to give specific location directions.

"The opening of the third runway is a major asset to the growth of Sky Harbor Airport, as well as the economy of the city of Phoenix," said Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimsza. "This project has been a good experience in partnering, as we have worked with several contractors, the Arizona Air National Guard in their relocation to accommodate this growth, and the FAA."

"One of the final steps for the opening of the runway will be changing the runway signage during the early hours of Oct. 5 and then we will be waiting to watch the first aircraft use runway 7R/25L," said Aviation Director David Krietor.

The north runway- 8L/26R after the designation change will become runway 8/26. The south runway- 8R/26L will become runway 7L/25R and the third runway will be named runway 7R/25L. These designations will help to decrease pilot confusion and pair the two south runways with the same numbering system.

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