Beyond these heartwarming connections, our airports have a tremendous impact on our local region, supporting $18.7 billion in economic activity. That includes more than 102,600 jobs, providing $6.1 billion in earnings. As we add new flights, we bring more tourists to our region that support local businesses and attractions.  

We know what we are looking forward to in 2026, but 2025 has its own highly anticipated events that will have our airports welcoming the country and the world to our hometown. These events are in addition to the regularly scheduled cultural, business and sporting activities that will bring millions of visitors to Philadelphia this year.  

From May 7-11, the PGA’s Truist Championship will be held at The Philadelphia Cricket Club.  

We will have a preview of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when Lincoln Financial Field hosts FIFA Club World Cup matches in June and on July 4.  

In October, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps will celebrate their 250th anniversaries with the epic Homecoming 250 celebration. From October 9-16, there will be a parade of military ships along the Delaware River; veterans’ events; and a variety of exhibits at local museums.

The world’s spotlight is going to be on us, and we need to be laser focused on being prepared to fulfill our vision of being a world class global gateway of choice and our mission of proudly connecting Philadelphia with the world.    

Teamwork and effective communication will be critical. Thank you for attending one of the Employee Roadshows. We will be back in the spring to share more updates and information about our Strategic Plan that focuses on key initiatives we will accomplish together for milestone years, like 2025 and 2026.  

This past year, the DOA team shined brightly when we welcomed wrestling fans to our city for WrestleMania XL. With that experience under our belt, I know we are ready to build upon it for this year, 2026 and beyond.  

I am happy to have you as part of our team. Best wishes for a happy, healthy new year. Thank you for what you do for our airports every day.  

-Atif 

HR Updates

Airport Employee Resource Groups (AEGs)

In addition to the AEGs listed below, a new AEG is coming in 2025 for men over 40. 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 engagement@phl.org. There must be five people and a leader for implementation. For questions about other City Resource Groups, contact Brenna Schmidt at crg@phila.gov.

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

GoldPros: A December to Remember for the GOLD Pros!

The GOLD Pros AEG was joined by allies and first-time attendees for their last meeting of the year on December 4, the group's first “Snow Ball.” The celebration included a potluck with cultural dishes and favorite items to share and sample and a "White Elephant Swap" gift exchange. On December 7, members of the GOLD Pros, along with their friends and families, celebrated the end of their first year together with a special private matinee screening of Wicked. The screening took place at the Regal Theater on Main Street in Manayunk. It was an unforgettable experience walking into a theater filled with coworkers from all areas of PHL, along with several retired employees.

The GOLD Pros meets monthly for support, mentorship, and workshops. It is led by Deatrice Isaac, Vice President of Airport Procurement. If you're interested in joining the GOLD Pros or any of PHL's AEGs, please reach out to Shawn Hawes at Shawn.Hawes@phl.org for more information. 

Women of Color in Aviation and Allies Guest Speaker: Amy Liu, City Planner Supervisor

To kick off the new year, the Women of Color in Aviation and Allies AEG will welcome Amy Liu, City Planner Supervisor, as its guest speaker for the "DOA Lessons Learned" speaker series. Amy will share her journey and valuable insights gained throughout her career. This series aims to connect women of color within the DOA, offering opportunities for learning and growth across different specialties and responsibilities.

The meeting will take place on January 21, from 10- 11:30 AM in the IP2 3rd Floor Conference Room. If you have any questions or topics you would like to explore during the meeting, please send them to gloria.mcneil@phl.org by January 10. This is a wonderful opportunity for connection, empowerment, and collaboration, where we can share experiences, ideas, and support one another.

Training Calendar

New Hires

Welcome to our new hires!

Alan Ross Jones Jr. — Airport Operations Trainee

Branden Brewer — Custodial Worker 

Dalton Gattuso — Administrative Technical Trainee (Safety)

Eric Brown — Custodial Worker 1

Kendra Gamble — Service Representative (Guest Experience)

Naeemah Pitts — Clerk 3 (Hiring Services)

Nicholas Gross — Service Representative (Guest Experience)

Shirley Dash — Director of IT Operations

Summer Morgan — Human Resources Professional 1

Tyhir Oglesby — Custodial Worker 1

Tynae Keith — Clerk 2 (Hiring Services)

Information Security

As we ring in 2025, it's time to refresh our focus on security. This month, the Infosec Team is spotlighting Password Management Best Practices because the strength of your passwords determines the strength of your defenses. 
Password Management 101: Strengthening Your Defenses

Just like your front door lock keeps intruders out, strong passwords protect your sensitive information. Here’s how you can ensure your accounts stay secure:

Avoid Using Weak or Reused Passwords

Passwords such as "123456" or "password" are practically an open invitation for cybercriminals. Similarly, reusing the same password across accounts increases risk. Using unique, random passwords with 8-16 characters can greatly reduce the chance of them being cracked.

Adopt a Password Manager

Juggling multiple accounts and passwords is challenging, but a password manager makes it easy. These tools securely store and generate strong, random passwords so you don’t have to remember them all.

Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Even the strongest passwords can be breached, but MFA adds an extra layer of defense. Whenever possible, turn on MFA for your accounts to ensure you stay protected.

Be Alert for Password-Related Phishing Attempts

Hackers may try to steal your credentials through phishing emails or fake login pages. Always verify the source of any email asking you to log in or reset your password.

Update Your Passwords Regularly

If you haven’t updated your passwords for some time, now is a great time to start. For critical accounts like work credentials, banking, or email, aim to refresh your passwords periodically.

By following these tips, you can reduce your risk of compromise and keep your information safe throughout 2025.

Remember: Strong passwords are your first line of defense. Let’s make 2025 a year of security success!

Stay Safe and Secure, 
Information Security Department

Website: Information Security - Home

Email:InfoSec@phl.org 

PHL Badging Office: New Hours

Starting January 13, the badging office will be changing hours to Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM. The badging office is located at International Plaza 2, 3rd Floor, suite 330. For more information, call 215-937-1807 or email badging@phl.org.

PHL Food and Shops

Meet the Law and the DEI Units

Law Unit

The Law Unit is led by Vijya Patel, Divisional Deputy Solicitor for the Airport. The unit is a division of the City’s Law Department - Regulatory Law Unit. The DOA team consists of seven attorneys who work on many different types of legal matters. It works closely with members of the city law department and its attorneys who have various specialities and may manage some legal processes. The team also works with outside attorneys contracted by the Department. Some of the focuses for the team are regulatory compliance and legislation related to FAA, TSA and various state and local governments. Most of the unit’s work focuses on contractual leases, concessions, airline agreements, professional services, grant agreements, and infrastructure matters such as real estate agreements. The unit also provides litigation support for general issues, public works disputes and claims filed against the airport.

View the Law Unit presentation

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Unit and Employee Engagement Unit

The Diversity Equity and Inclusion Unit was established in 2023 and was an outgrowth of the employee resource group, Racial Equity Advisory Committee. The unit is led by Donna Jackson Stephans, Vice President Diversity Equity and Inclusion and Workforce Development, and is under Chief Administrative Officer Delicsha Wilds. The unit recently incorporated the office of Business Diversity which manages diversity participation in the airports’ contracts. The unit leads the Department’s strategy around DEI initiatives and also manages employee engagement and employee recognition, mentoring and internship programs. A key goal of DEI programs is to raise cultural competency to promote an understanding among employees of diverse cultures and needs and ensuring inclusive services to everyone to attract and retain top talent from diverse communities and ensure that the airports benefit everyone in our diverse communities.

View the DEI 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

Make a Resolution to Be Travel Ready for 2025

Are you giving the gift of travel to yourself or a loved one this holiday? Do you know about the new domestic and international requirements for 2025? Now is the time to make sure your documents are up to date to avoid missing take-off.

Capital Development

PHL Celebrates Worldwide GIS Day

The City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation’s Geographic Information System (GIS) team celebrated Worldwide GIS Day by providing an update on PHL’s and PNE’s recent and current projects.

In the Community

Department of Aviation Partners with Eastwick United CDC to Spread Holiday Cheer for Local Students

The Department of Aviation kicked off its holiday season of giving when staff partnered with Eastwick United CDC to serve an early Thanksgiving feast to more than 300 kindergarten through fifth grade students at Penrose Elementary School on November 22.

People at PHL

PHL Impression Makers: Transdev Transit Operator Jeannie Gooden

Transdev Transit Operator Jeannie Gooden believes in understanding and listening to each and every one of the thousands of passengers she meets every year. Her friendly spirit landed her an “Impression Makers” award from PHL's Employee Recognition Program. This award recognizes employees who deliver outstanding customer service to passengers. 

PHL Unsung Heroes - Department of Aviation Custodial Worker II James Reed

As he is performing custodial operations, Department of Aviation Custodial Worker II James Reed frequently assists guests in navigating PHL. He never thought doing something that comes second nature would lead to him receiving the “Unsung Heroes” award from PHL’s Employee Recognition Program. This award aims to acknowledge and honor employees who contribute significantly in vital behind-the-scenes roles. Their dedication and efforts are crucial to the airport's overall success. 

PHL Caring Support - Department of Aviation Public Affairs Manager Heather Redfern

Coworkers know Department of Aviation Public Affairs Manager Heather Redfern as being kind, caring, a good listener, and easy to get along with. It’s no wonder she recently received the Caring Support award in PHL's Employee Recognition Program. This award recognizes individuals who provide exceptional care and services to seniors, families with small children, and disabled or ill passengers. 

PHL Food and Shops 

PHL Food and Shops Hosts Runway PHL 2024 

PHL Food and Shops hosted the highly anticipated "Runway PHL: Fashion for Today's Traveler" on December 12, with Miss Pennsylvania 2024 Page Weinstein, serving as the event's host. The three dynamic runway shows highlighted unique, theme-driven looks, showcasing clothing and accessories from retailers at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). The styles were brought to life by airport employees who modeled the curated outfits, offering a glimpse of the latest travel-ready fashion. The event also featured free skin care consultations (courtesy of Duty Free) and free massages (courtesy of XpressSpa), adding an extra touch of self care and relaxation for attendees.