Philadelphia International Airport (IATA: PHL, ICAO: KPHL, FAA LID: PHL), often referred to just by its airport code PHL, is a major airport in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, and is the largest airport in the Delaware Valley region and in the state. The airport is the second largest hub and the primary international hub of US Airways and has service to destinations in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East. 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.
§History
Starting in 1925 the Pennsylvania National Guard used the PHL site (known as Hog Island) as a training airfield. The site was dedicated as the "Philadelphia Municipal Airport" by Charles Lindbergh in 1927, but it had no proper terminal building until 1940; airlines used the airfield (at 39.930°N 75.078°W / 39.930; -75.078) in nearby Camden, New Jersey. Once Philadelphia's terminal was completed (on the east side of the field) American, Eastern, TWA and United began flights.
In 1947 and 1950 the airport had runways 4, 9, 12 and 17, all of 5400 ft or less. In 1956 runway 9 was 7284 ft; in 1959 it was 9499 ft and runway 12 had been closed. Not much change occurred until the early 1970s, when runway 4 was closed and 9R opened with 10500 ft.
On June 20, 1940, the airport's weather station became as the official point for Philadelphia weather observations and records by the National Weather Service.
§World War II use
During World War II the United States Army Air Forces used the airport as a First Air Force training airfield.
Beginning in 1940 the Coatesville-based Rising Sun School of Aeronautics performed primary flight training at the airport under contract to the Air Corps. 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, and the Army Air Forces Training Command established the Philco Training School on January 1, 1943 which trained personnel in radio repair and operations.
During 1945 the Air Force reduced its use of the airport and it was returned to civil control that September.
§Commercial use
Philadelphia Municipal became Philadelphia International in 1945, when American Overseas Airlines began direct flights to Europe. (For a short time AOA's flights skipped the New York stop; that was probably Philadelphia's only international nonstop until Pan Am tried nonstops to Europe in 1961.) A new terminal opened in December 1953; the oldest parts of the present terminal complex (B and C) were built in the late '50s.
The April 1957 OAG shows 30 weekday departures on Eastern, 24 TWA, 24 United, 18 American, 16 National, 14 Capital, 6 Allegheny and 3 Delta. To Europe, five Pan Am DC-6Bs a week via Idlewild and Boston and two TWA 749As a week via Idlewild; one TWA flight continued to Ceylon. Eastern and National had nonstops to Miami, but the TWA 1049G to LAX (started 1956) was the only nonstop beyond Chicago.
Terminal B/C modernization was completed in 1970, Terminal D opened in 1973 and Terminal E in 1977; the $300 million expansion was designed by Arnold Thompson Associates, Inc. and Vincent G. Kling & Associates.
In the 1980s PHL hosted several hubs. The Airline Deregulation Act of 1978 allowed regional carrier Altair Airlines to create a small hub at PHL using Fokker F-28s. Altair began in 1967 with flights to cities such as Rochester, New York, Hartford, Connecticut and to Florida until it ceased operations in November 1982. In the mid-1980s Eastern Air Lines opened a hub in Concourse C. The airline declined in the late 1980s and sold aircraft and gate leases to Chicago-based Midway Airlines. Midway operated its Philadelphia hub until it ceased operation in 1991--the same year Eastern liquidated. During the 1980s US Airways (then called USAir) built a hub at PHL.
US Airways became the dominant carrier at PHL during the 1980s and 1990s and shifted most of its hub operations from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia in 2003. As of 2013 PHL was US Airways' largest international hub. As of January 2013, the lease agreement underlying US Airways operations at PHL will expire at the end of June 2015.
In July 1999 the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDot) and several U.S. federal government agencies selected a route for the connecting ramps from the northbound and southbound portions of Interstate 95 to the Terminal One complex, then under development; the agency tried to avoid the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum. However K/B Fund II, the owner of the International Plaza complex, formerly the Scott Paper headquarters Scott Plaza, objected to the proposed routing. K/B Fund II argued that the proposed routing would interfere with the International Plaza development. It entered a filing in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to challenge the proposed routing. In 2000 the airport attempted to acquire the complex for $90 million but Tinicum Township commissioners stopped the deal from going forward, citing concerns of a loss of tax revenue for the township and the Interboro School District which serves Tinicum, as well as noise pollution concerns.
In 2004 Southwest Airlines began flights from PHL, challenging US Airways in some of its important East Coast and Midwest markets. It is now US Airways' 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 have helped passenger traffic to reach record levels. In 2004, a total of 28,507,420 passengers flew through Philadelphia, up 15.5% over 2003. In 2005, 31,502,855 passengers flew through PHL, marking a 10% increase since 2004. In 2006, 31,768,272 passengers travelled through PHL, a 0.9% increase.
§Airport expansion
Such growth has not come without difficulties. There are questions as to how much more passenger growth can occur. The airport's present terminal and runway layout are reaching full utilization and PHL remains the world's largest airport without an inground fueling system thus requiring fuel to be trucked to each airplane. These two factors have led to congestion and delays. Additionally, the airport's parking facilities have been severely taxed. Exhaustion of all 17,000 parking spaces at the airport has become a regular occurrence. However, airport officials have ambitious plans for terminal and runway expansion.
By 2005, there were two studies which dealt with expanding runway capacity at PHL: the Runway 17-35 Extension Project EIS and the PHL Capacity Enhancement Program EIS.
Completed in May 2009, the Runway 17-35 Extension Project extended runway 17-35 to a length of 6,500 ft (2,000 m), extending it at both ends and incorporating the proper runway safety areas. Other changes made with the Runway 17-35 Extension Project included additional taxiways and aprons, relocation of perimeter service roads, and modifications to nearby public roads.
The Capacity Enhancement Program has a much larger scope and is considering more drastic ways to increase runway capacity. On December 30, 2010, a 13-year $5.2 billion project that would have extended the two main runways and added one new runway was passed by the FAA. The project would also create two new passenger terminals, the first terminal will be built where the current terminal complex is located, and the second terminal will be built across from the current terminal complex. The project was also going to relocate the UPS facility, and redevelop cargo city, the cargo complex at PHL. The redesigned UPS facility would have required demolition of several houses of nearby Tinicum Township. But after much resistance by the residents of those homes, an agreement was made to keep the homes and expand the airport elsewhere. The new project will now cost $6.4 billion.
Southwest Airlines, the fastest growing airline for several years after beginning service to PHL in 2004, worked with the city and the airport to expand and improve its facilities. Southwest recently built 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 was finished in February 2010. However, Southwest subsequently ended nonstop service to PHL from most of its non-focus cities due to competition with US Airways. The January 2013 lease extension obtained by US Airways was contingent on a number of future enhancements, and the lease renewal provided some funding.
§Air traffic and rankings
With 432,884 aircraft movements in 2013, Philadelphia International Airport ranks 15th busiest in the world in terms of aircraft movements. In 2010, 30,775,961 passengers passed through Philadelphia International Airport, a 0.3% increase compared to 2009.
§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.
§Terminals
Philadelphia International Airport has seven terminal buildings, which are divided into seven lettered concourses, which together contain 124 gates total. Terminals A East and A West, B, C, D, and E are all interconnected, and it is possible to travel through all of these airside. Terminal F, completed in 2003, is separate from these terminals but can be reached by airside shuttle buses 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. There are no luggage storage facilities at the airport.
§Terminal A West
One of the two newest terminal buildings at the airport, Concourse A West has a very modern and innovative design, made by Kohn Pedersen Fox, Pierce Goodwin Alexander & Linville, and Kelly/Maiello. Opened in 2003 as the new international terminal, it is now home to British Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and US Airways (International and Domestic). 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: A14 to A26.
§Terminal A East
This terminal, originally the airport's international terminal, is now used by American Airlines, Apple Vacations, Frontier, and Spirit, and also by US Airways for domestic and international flights. A-East is upgraded and well maintained, and recently received an upgrade to its baggage claim facilities. Most of the gates in this terminal are equipped to handle international arrivals, and the passengers are led to the customs facility in terminal A-West. It opened in 1990. The security entrance was significantly enlarged in 2012.
Terminal A-East contains 11 gates: A2 to A13 (except A5; The US Airways Express shuttle bus stop is designated A1).
§Terminals B and C
Terminals B and C are the two main US Airways terminals. They were renovated at a cost of $135 million in 1998, which was designed by DPK&A Architects, LLP. They are connected by a shopping mall and food court named the Philadelphia Marketplace. Remodeling has begun in the gate areas, although these cosmetic changes will not solve the space problems at many of the gates. Overall, the facilities are fairly modern and dining options on the concourses are also available. They are the oldest terminals, and opened in 1953.
Terminal B contains 15 gates: B1 to B16 (except B12), and Terminal C contains 15 gates: C17 to C31.
§Terminal D
Terminal D and Terminal E were upgraded in late 2008 with a new concourse connecting the two terminals while providing combined security, a variety of shops and restaurants and a link between Baggage Claims D and E. It originally opened in 1973. This is the inverse of the connector between Terminals B and C, which comprises a combined ticket hall but separate security facilities. Terminal D is home to Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Alaska Airlines. This terminal is connected to the shopping area of Terminals B/C through a post-security walkway.
Terminal D contains 16 gates: D1 to D16.
§Terminal E
Terminal E is home to Southwest Airlines and JetBlue Airways. Terminal E is also home to Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection ticketing. The departing gates for Delta Air Lines and Delta Connection are located in Concourse D. It opened in 1977.
Terminal E contains 17 gates: E1 to E17.
§Terminal F (Concourses 1, 2, and 3)
Terminal F is a regional terminal used by US Airways Express flights. It includes special jet bridges that allow passengers to board regional jets without walking on the tarmac. Opened in 2001, Terminal F is the second newest terminal building at Philadelphia International. It was designed by Odell Associates, Inc. and The Sheward Partnership.
When Terminal F opened in 2001, it contained 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) of space for concessions.
Terminal F contains 37 gates: F1 to F39 (except F8; The US Airways Express shuttle bus stop is designated F10; Flights at the remote stands use F16R).
§Airlines and destinations
§Passenger
As of summer 2014, Philadelphia International Airport serves a total of 130 non-stop destinations, including 38 international destinations in 20 countries throughout North America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East.
^1 All international arrivals are handled at Terminal A.
§Charter
§Cargo
§Statistics
§Ground transportation
Taxis charge a flat rate, currently $28.50 plus a fuel surcharge, for transportation from the airport to downtown Philadelphia. The Philadelphia International Airport has road access from an interchange with I-95, which heads north toward Center City Philadelphia and south into Delaware County. PA 291 heads northeast from the airport area and provides access to and from I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway).
SEPTA, the area's transportation authority, operates regional rail service between the airport and Center City Philadelphia via the Airport Line with stops at University City, Amtrak's 30th Street, Suburban, and Jefferson stations. The fare is $8 if purchased on board, or $6.50 if purchased at a station in center city. An unlimited ride day pass may be purchased either at a station or on board for $12 for all SEPTA services except to stations in New Jersey. SEPTA also operates various bus routes to the airport: Route 37 (serving South Philadelphia and Chester Transportation Center), Route 108 (serving 69th Street Transportation Center and the UPS air hub), and Route 115 (serving Delaware County Community College and Darby Transportation Center). Bus fare is $2.25 or 1 token ($1.80; available at major subway stops), with a transfer for $1.00.
Rental cars are available through a number of companies; each operates a shuttle bus between its facility and the terminals.
As a benefit to students, local schools including The University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University, Swarthmore College, Haverford College and Saint Joseph's University traditionally operate transportation shuttles to the airport during heavy travel periods such as spring and Thanksgiving breaks.
As part of Philadelphia International Airport's US$6.4 billion expansion plans, an automated people mover is expected between 2015 and 2019.
§Incidents and accidents
- On January 14, 1951 National Airlines Flight 84 crashed upon landing at Philadelphia from Newark. The aircraft skidded off the runway, crashed through a fence and came to rest in a ditch. During the incident, the left wing broke off, rupturing the gas tanks and setting the plane on fire. There were seven fatalities in all. Frankie Housley, the lone stewardess on Flight 84, led ten passengers to safety but lost her life trying to save an infant.
- On July 19, 1989 United Airlines Flight 232 was scheduled to arrive at Philadelphia International Airport after flying from Denver to Chicago. During the flight the Douglas DC-10 suffered an uncontained failure of its number 2 engine. Shrapnel was hurled from the engine with enough force to penetrate the hydraulic lines of all three of the aircraft's hydraulic systems. The hydraulic fluid from each system rapidly leaked from the aircraft, resulting in the inability of the crew to move the flight control surfaces. Only the thrust levers for the two remaining engines remained workable, so the crew had limited control by using thrust modulation (symmetric thrust for pitch, differential thrust for yaw/roll). The aircraft eventually broke up during an emergency landing on the runway at Sioux City, Iowa, killing 110 of its 285 passengers and one of the 11 crew members. One additional passenger died of his injuries 31 days after the crash.
- On Tuesday, February 7, 2006, a UPS Douglas DC-8 cargo plane suffered an in-flight cargo fire and made an emergency landing at Philadelphia International Airport after filling with smoke. There were no injuries other than smoke inhalation affecting the crew, but the plane burned on the ground for hours into the night, though most of the cargo survived, and the fuselage was a total loss, with multiple holes burned through the roof skin. According to the NTSB, the firefighting crew did not have adequate training on using their skin-piercing extinguishing equipment and, not knowing how to open the main cargo door, attempted to force the handle and broke the latch, rendering the door unopenable. There were also difficulties in obtaining the cargo manifest to determine what if any hazardous materials were on board, due to confusion about protocol. However, despite these failings, the airport staff, including the firefighting staff, managed the incident successfully without injury or major disruption of the airport. The NTSB suspected lithium ion batteries were the source of ignition and made recommendations for more stringent rules and restrictions on their air transport, especially on passenger aircraft (unlike this one). For a cause of the incident, the NTSB focused on the delayed indication of fire by the required onboard fire detection system and criticized the standards to which such systems are tested, noting that the tests use an empty cargo hold and do not represent the real-world performance of the detection systems with the hold full of cargo, which significantly changes the flow patterns of hot air and smoke. The crew and air traffic control personnel were found to have behaved properly (with minor exceptions) and not to be at fault for the incident or its outcome.
- On March 13, 2014, US Airways Flight 1702, an Airbus A320 operating a scheduled flight to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, had its nose gear collapse and aborted takeoff. No one was injured. Passengers were evacuated by emergency slide and through exits on the wings.
§See also
- Hog Island
- Philadelphia Lazaretto
- Philadelphia TRACON
- Pennsylvania World War II Army Airfields
§References
§External links
- Philadelphia International Airport (official web site)
- FAA Airport Master Record for PHL (Form 5010 PDF)
- Wings Over Philadelphia - Abundant Information Regarding PHL
- Pennsylvania Bureau of Aviation: Philadelphia International Airport
- Food and Shops at PHL
- PHL-Citizens Aviation Watch
- FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective March 5, 2015
- Resources for this airport:
- AirNav airport information for KPHL
- ASN accident history for PHL
- FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
- NOAA/NWS latest weather observations
- SkyVector aeronautical chart for KPHL
- FAA current PHL delay information
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