The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Navigator volunteer program reached a new record high for service hours contributed. According to Kit Weiss, Passenger Services Manager and manager of the Navigator Program, as of March, 2004, the 485 volunteer Navigators who assist travelers arriving and departing from Sky Harbor had contributed a total of 142,934 hours to the airport. This translates into a value of nearly $3 million had these services been performed by paid staff.

“The Navigator program has exceeded all of our expectations in terms of volunteer hours contributed and the extensive help that our Navigators provide to our passengers at the airport,” said David Cavazos, A.A.E., Acting Aviation Director. “We’re very proud that we are considered a model program for other airports.”

Weiss noted that volunteers for this program come from 24 communities throughout Arizona including the cities of Flagstaff and Prescott Valley, located two hours away from Phoenix. .

“Not only do our volunteers travel long distances, but they contribute many many hours,” said Weiss who noted that Sky Harbor has 93 Navigators who have served more than 500 hours,

ten volunteers who have put in more than 1,000 hours, and four with more than 1,500 hours of service to the airport. “We have two volunteers who have contributed more than 2,000 hours each to the program,” she added

The next training class for prospective Navigators is scheduled for late May at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. To be eligible, all volunteers must go through an intensive interview process that helps prospective Navigators understand the scope and goals of the program and makes sure that it is a good “fit” for each volunteer. When the next class finishes, Sky Harbor will have more than 500 volunteers serving travelers in the three airport terminals.

Conveniently located in the heart of the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, Sky Harbor ranks as the 5th busiest U.S. airport for aircraft operations; 6th busiest U.S. airport for passenger traffic; and 11th busiest airport in the world for passenger traffic. Offering an average of 1,300 daily commercial airline flights, Sky Harbor serves more than 100 cities with non-stop flights, including non-stop destinations in the UK, Mexico and Canada. Phoenix Sky Harbor International airport boasts more than 350 perfect flying days per year. For more information about Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport log on to phxskyharbor.com.