Our airports are making progress toward these goals. Growth comes to mind when I think of 2024. We welcomed new members to our team, celebrated with our airline partners to launch flights to exciting new destinations, and joined MarketPlace PHL and business owners for ribbon cuttings for new shops and favorite local eateries. While we won’t have our final 2024 passenger volume numbers until February, during many peak travel periods this year, our passenger projections were very close to or even slightly above record-setting 2019 numbers.  

We started our countdown to 2026 by hosting our first major events since the pandemic. In April, when WrestleMania XL came to town, our pep rally, airport displays and teamwork showcased how we can welcome the world to Philadelphia -- and the results were award-winning. It followed with the kick-off of PHL WORKS, our airport-wide customer service initiative.    

We worked to make progress on areas of focus identified in our Employee Engagement Surveys. We’re also proud to have cut the ribbon on a number of projects to provide employees with enhanced working environments such as the new Pavement and Grounds facility, new custodial team locker rooms and the recently completed facilities in Terminal A-East. We’re also looking forward to breaking ground for a new administration building at PNE next year.  

We are well on our way to “Destination Future” which was the theme of our State of the Airport held in September. We are moving in a positive direction and have a lot to look forward to. I can’t wait to see what 2025 brings!  

Wishing you and your families a safe and healthy holiday season and a happy, prosperous new year.  

Atif 

HR Updates

Airport Employee Resource Groups (AEGs)

Many employees stopped by the AEG Resource Fair events held in November to learn more and sign up for a group! Airport Empowerment Groups (AEGs) bring together employees to promote employee engagement; create networking opportunities to make professional contacts; promote information sharing cross-functionally and organizationally and strengthen team building.

In addition to the AEGs listed below, a new AEG is coming for men over 40, and there are also affinity groups bringing together employees for activities. If you are interested in participating or leading an AEG at PHL/PNE, email your idea(s) to [email protected]. There must be five people and a leader for implementation. For questions about other City Resource Groups, contact Brenna Schmidt at [email protected]. 

Young Professionals in Business Aviation (YoPros) YoPros for airport employees who are 40 and under and interested in networking and connecting with other young professionals.

GoldPros: for women over 40 and allies. Members meet every second Wednesday of the month from 10-11:30 AM and plan activities such as seeing the movie Wicked. Email Shawn Hawes at [email protected] if you are interested in joining.

Women of Color in Aviation and Allies: Meets monthly for “an open, respectful, enlightening and inspiring space for everyone!” Its Lessons Learned DOA Speaker Series strives to connect women of color in the DOA across specialties and responsibilities to discuss their journey, career challenges overcome, and advice for success. Api Appulingam, Chief Development Officer is the upcoming speaker.

Covid Reminder

COVID-19 exposures and confirmed positive cases must be reported immediately to [email protected] for contact tracing. Employees will be provided direction on leave usage and return to work on a case-by-case basis. The minimum quarantine/isolation for a confirmed positive case is five (5) days followed by five (5) days mandatory masking while working.

Training Calendar

New Hires 

Welcome to our new hires!

Danif Williams — Airport Operations Trainee (Airside)
Mohammed Tiab — Procurement Specialist 1 
Manier Kennedy — Semiskilled Laborer (Custodial Unit)
Lorenzo Coleman — Service Representative (Guest Experience) 
Zakhir Muhammad — Custodial Worker 1
Isaac Briggs — Custodial Worker 1
Marquise Devlin — Custodial Worker 1
Juanita Thompson — Custodial Worker 1

News from IT ... Share your feedback in our Survey and Get Ready for the Upgrade to Windows 11

Help us Improve IT Client Services by Sharing Feedback in our Survey!

The Information Technology team's goal is to ensure that everyone has the technology and support needed to thrive. Whether you're reaching out to the IT Helpdesk, working from a conference room, or using a mobile device, IT wants to make sure your experience is as seamless and efficient as possible. Please take a few minutes to complete the IT survey. Your feedback will help us assess how we're doing and identify areas where staff can focus on improving services. 

Get Ready for the Upgrade to Windows 11

With Microsoft ending its support of Windows 10 in October 2025, Department of Aviation staff will be upgraded to Windows 11 in the first quarter of 2025. This transition marks a significant step forward in the airports’ commitment to providing the best tools for our team.

What’s new in Windows 11?

Windows 11 offers innovative features to improve the overall user experience. Employees can expect a more intuitive navigation system, making it easier to access applications and resources.

Key Benefits

1. Enhanced Performance and speed
2. Improved Collaboration Tools
3. Multitasking Made Easy
4. Robust Security Features

What’s Next?

The rollout will begin in Q1 2025, with employees receiving detailed instructions on how to prepare for the transition in advance of their upgrade. The IT Helpdesk will be on hand to assist with any questions and ensure a smooth upgrade process. Stay tuned for more updates!

Information Security

As we head into the holidays and end of the year festivities it’s important to remember that this month is “the most wonderful time of the year” for more than just us. Malware/Ransomware gangs, threat actors, and novice hackers use this time of joy, distractions, and PTO to launch some of their most vicious attacks. The Infosec Team would like to provide some helpful tips to avoid an unwanted present under your tree. Read more here

December Employee Engagement Roadshow Meetings for PHL employees!

Wednesday, December 18 at 7 am and Thursday, December 19 at 3 pm, Tour Room Terminal C/D Connector

The final Employee Roadshow meetings for 2024 have now been rescheduled. If you have not attended a roadshow meeting yet, please make plans to attend one of these sessions. Hear from CEO Atif Saeed and DOA leaders on employee engagement, get your questions answered and learn how we can all contribute to make a positive impact at the Department of Aviation! Sign up here and keep an eye out for more information shared via email.

Honoring Our 2024 Retirees, Years of Service Milestones, and DOA P.R.I.D.E. Award Recipients 

Join us in celebrating the outstanding contributions of our colleagues at the 2024 Department of Aviation Employee Recognition Ceremony! 

Date: December 11, 2024 
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 
Location: IP1, 3rd Floor, 1 International Plaza, Philadelphia, PA 19113 

Reception & Networking: 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM 
Awards Ceremony: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Celebrate the achievements of our retirees, recognize years of service milestones, and honor the individuals receiving the DOA P.R.I.D.E. Awards.

PHL Food and Shops

Get ready for a fun-filled December with MarketPlace PHL! Here’s what’s coming up: 

Free Gift-Wrapping Services & Free Gift with Purchase 

December 2nd – 24th 
Enjoy complimentary gift wrapping for any items purchased in the airport! Spend $75 or more, and receive a FREE neck pillow! 
The gift wrapping booth (also the location to pick up the neck pillow) will be open from 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM 
 

Runway PHL Fashion Show 

December 12th | 12:00 – 5:00 PM 
Don’t miss out on the chance to catch the latest trends! Join MarketPlace PHL and PHL employees for the Runway PHL Fashion Show with shows starting at 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM in the B/C Connector.  There will be various demonstrations and activations from airport merchants throughout the day. 
 

Employee Appreciation Week 

December 16th – 20th 
A special week just for our team! Enjoy exclusive deals from stores and restaurants, including 25% off one online order at www.orderatphl.com using the code GOPHL. 

December 24th – 25th 
Get 25% off one online order at www.orderatphl.com using code Cheers24. 
 

Eagles Activation- GO BIRDS! 

December 20th | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM 
Fly high with the Philadelphia Eagles! 
Meet Swoop, the cheerleaders, and enjoy some great music and giveaways. 

Meet the Air Service Development, Human Resources, Training and Safety Units

Air Service Development (ASD) Unit

The Air Service Development Unit is managed by Edgar Vesga and is under the Commercial Group led by Chief Commercial Officer Kate Sullivan. The unit works with PHL’s airline partners to nurture relationships to increase flights, seats and destinations serviced. The unit also helps secure new airline service by attending aviation shows and meeting with airline representatives to promote PHL. It also collaborates with community, business, diplomatic, trade and tourism groups to build the business case for PHL.

View the Air Service Development team’s presentation

The following three units are under the Chief Administrative Office led by Chief Administrative Officer Delicsha Wilds. The units report into Stacey Lennon, VP of Talent Management.

Human Resources (HR) Unit

The Human Resources Unit is managed by Tamara Whitfield. The HR unit ensures employees have the resources they need through hiring, payroll, benefits, onboarding, offboarding, and employee relations. The team also makes sure that the Department is compliant with city, state, and federal regulations and other policies. Key goals for the team are to help the organization attract and retain top talent, to improve organizational performance, and to build a positive work culture. The unit includes the following teams: Employee Relations, Payroll, Hiring Services and Transactions.

View the HR Unit presentation

Training Unit

The Training Unit is managed by Latia White, Training & Development Officer.  The unit seeks to educate employees on technical knowledge or hard skills that may be required for a role and those such as communications and conflict management, or soft skills, which help employees be more successful in their jobs. The unit helps employees develop by building on their strengths and identifying opportunities for growth. The unit also seeks to empower employees to seek continual learning and advancement opportunities on their own. Some top focus areas include compliance training, professional development, and leadership development. The unit also administers tuition reimbursements for employees who take college and graduate classes or courses for memberships and licenses. Employees can find and manage their courses and training history on the City of Philadelphia’s SmarterU website.

View the Training Unit presentation

Safety Unit

The Safety Unit is managed by DeAsia Tyler, Safety Manager. It is charged with providing a safe and healthy working environment at the Department of Aviation. It facilitates training on safety procedures and policies, provides safety awareness information, conducts inspections, performs job hazard analysis and ergonomic assessments, and distributes personal protective equipment (PPE). The unit also responds to any work-related injuries and manages required reporting and follow-up. Overall, the unit strives to create a safety culture within the DOA.

View the Safety Unit presentation

Follow us on Social Media

Want to learn more about news and events at PHL and PNE? Be sure to follow the airports on social media:

X: @PHLAirport 
Instagram: @phl_airport
Facebook: @PhiladelphiaInternationalAirport
LinkedIn: @phlairport
YouTube: @PHL_airport

The Latest from PHL's Online Newsroom

At the Airport 

PHL Welcomes AAAE Arts In The Airport Workshop

For over two decades, the American Association of Airport Executives' (AAAE) Arts in the Airport Workshop has been the only event focused specifically on airport art, providing valuable learning and networking opportunities for professionals responsible for overseeing and managing airport art programs. Three of those sessions have been hosted by Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).   

PHL Welcomes AAAE-NEC Inclusion in Aviation Conference 2024

PHL served as the host airport for the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)/ American Association of Airport Executives-Northeast Chapter (AAAE-NEC) Inclusion in Aviation 2024 conference November 6-8.  As host airport, PHL highlighted its ongoing commitment to creating inclusive environments for passengers and employees.  

Press Releases

City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation Announces Appointment of Milton Robinson as Vice President of Facilities Maintenance

PHILADELPHIA –November 12, 2024- Today, the City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation announced the appointment of Milton Robinson as Vice President of Facilities Maintenance at Philadelphia International Airport and Northeast Philadelphia Airport. In his new role, Robinson will oversee the comprehensive maintenance of the airports' expansive facilities, including all landside, terminal, and airfield areas.   

Capital Development

PHL and SEPTA Celebrate Completion of Airport Line Platform Upgrade

PHL marked the completion of the two-year SEPTA Airport Line Platform Upgrade Project with a ribbon cutting on November 15, 2024. Joining Department of Aviation CEO Atif Saeed and Chief Development Officer Api Appulingam, were Pennsylvania State Representative Regina Young and SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie Richards. 

Airlines

PHL Promotes New Destinations as part of Travel Tuesday Campaign

If you're in the airport or viewing our social media channels, be sure to check out our latest campaign leveraging the growing trend of "Travel Tuesday." We're highlighting new nonstop service to exciting destinations on airport digital displays and on social media!

Sustainability

Department of Aviation Celebrates Recycling Successes at PHL and PNE

The Department of Aviation held its 15th annual America Recycles Day Celebration in honor of National America Recycles Day, November 15th. The event showcased the Department of Aviation’s, PHL's and PNE's commitment to recycling and its successes in waste diversion.   

People at PHL

PHL Unsung Heroes - Department of Aviation Administrative Support Manager Alycia Speas

Department of Aviation Administrative Support Manager Alycia Speas, known by coworkers for being passionate, helpful, and efficient, recently received the “Unsung Heroes” award from PHL's Employee Recognition Program. This award is designed to honor employees who play vital behind-the-scenes roles. While they do not engage directly with guests, their dedicated efforts significantly improve airport administrative operations and the overall guest experience.   

PHL Caring Support - Prospect Airport Services Passenger Services Lead Courtney Hayes

Being kind, hardworking, and going above and beyond embodies who Prospect Airport Services Passenger Services Lead Courtney Hayes is. Her compassionate attitude towards passengers led to Hayes being awarded the Caring Support award in PHL's Employee Recognition Program. This award recognizes those who provide exceptional care and services to seniors, families with young children, disabled passengers, and others with special needs. These employees ensure that travel experiences are seamless, efficient, and pleasurable for all passengers.   

PHL Food and Shops

Making the Most of Your Time at the Airport: A Guide to PHL’s Terminals

If passengers find themselves with time to spare before their flights, PHL offers a range of activities to help pass the time comfortably and enjoyably. Each terminal and connector is equipped with unique facilities designed to enhance guests’ airport experience.