Phoenix, Arizona –Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport will be making changes for the better. As the Phoenix area grows, so does demand for high quality customer service at the Airport. On April 14, Phoenix Sky Harbor received Federal approval to proceed with an airport enhancement program to help keep pace with this demand. Ultimately all projects will need to be approved by the Phoenix City Council.

"Sky Harbor is one of the cornerstones of Arizona's economy. These enhancements will increase the benefit of this tremendous economic engine and allow us to improve the quality of services for travelers. It's good news for everyone," said Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon.

This airport enhancement program does not include a new runway. In fact, passenger demand projections show that Sky Harbor’s three runways should serve travelers well into the future. This is about improving terminal capacity and operational efficiency to increase customer service. Without these improvements customers could end up spending significant time in the future waiting because there will not be enough gates to handle demand.

Before embarking on any major improvements, the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) mandates that the airports receive federal approval. Projects approved today for Sky Harbor include:

Improvements to the Terminal 4 International Concourse

Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten, who is also the Chairwoman of the Phoenix Transportation Subcommittee is enthusiastic about the possibilities. “We have achieved great success in providing superior customer service at the Airport. But we can’t stop now. We must continue to deliver the highest level of service available,” she said.

With all of the construction now underway, how can the Airport consider more? The current construction on Sky Harbor Boulevard, the Terminal 4 retail renovation and the B checkpoint expansion will be completed this fall, resulting in greatly improved customer service in many areas.

“Unfortunately, sometimes we have to create some short-term inconvenience to achieve long-term goals,” said David Krietor, Aviation Director. “Our passengers have been very patient and have put up with a lot of construction. We really appreciate that as we continue to make improvements to better serve them,” he said.

The City of Phoenix Aviation Department is an enterprise department and the projects in this program are not funded through the City’s general fund tax dollars that support city services like Police, Fire and Parks. Projects are funded through bonds, federal grants, Passenger Facilities Charges (PFC) and the Department’s operating budget which comes from revenues such as retail, parking and terminal rent.

PHX Airport Enhancement Program Facts

The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Enhancement Program involves a variety of projects, some directly impacting passengers and others that will not be visible to the public. Listed below are some of the key projects in the newly approved program.

Terminals

Terminal 4 was built in 1990 with future demand in mind, beginning with only five concourses but expandable to eight. Two additional concourses have been added since 2000 and construction on the eighth and final is expected to begin within the next few years. When that happens, Terminal 4 will have no more ability to meet growing demand.

Terminal 3, built in 1979, continues to be viable with 15 gates. Terminal 2, however, built in 1962, will serve passengers for another few years, but eventually will have to be replaced. Despite continued repairs over the years, its infrastructure and capacity to provide high quality customer service to our passengers in the future will be limited.

The airport enhancement program calls for a new, 33-gate terminal near the current Terminal 2.

Design and construction of the terminal will be demand driven.

Automated People Mover (APM)

Stage 1 of the APM has been previously approved, which will carry passengers from the east economy garage and to Terminals 4 and 3. This new approval allows for connection to Light Rail and a continuation from Terminal 3 to the new West Terminal and the rental car center. Sky Harbor is currently evaluating the available systems and potential usage of the APM system. Design options are being developed and subject to Phoenix City Council and airport stakeholder approval.

Roadways and Aircraft Taxiways

Sky Harbor Boulevard will be modified on the west side of the airport to provide access to the new West Terminal and improve overall traffic flow at the airport. Sky Harbor is a three runway system with terminals separating the north runway from the center and south runways. There are currently limited areas to cross between runways. Two new taxiways, on the west side of the airport, will allow for more efficient aircraft operations.

T4 International Concourse

The new West Terminal will accommodate all international flights except for those of US Airways, which will continue to operate out of the current international concourse in Terminal 4. Modifications will be made to the Terminal 4 international concourse to improve its efficiency.