In January, the Division of Aviation paid off the Philadelphia Parking Authority’s (PPA) bonds for the airport’s parking garages and economy lot, a process that took over a year to resolve. PHL is now in the company of other top 25 large hub airports that own their on-site parking facilities.   

Obtaining ownership of the garages and economy lot was vital to the airport’s future development. We can move forward with plans to modernize the facilities and better integrate parking into the airport’s overall ground transportation system, creating an enhanced experience for our guests from arrival to departure.  I am looking forward to sharing more details about these plans in the near future.  

The parking facilities purchase also allows us to develop the current economy lot for strategic aeronautical purposes. As you know, last year we announced our multi-year cargo expansion program, with a goal of becoming one of the most successful cargo airports on the East Coast and capturing more of the estimated $53 billion dollars in cargo that pass by our door to airports to the north and south of us. In order to grow our cargo program and attract top partners, we must provide easy access to our runways. The 40-acre economy parking lot touches the airfield and will provide stakeholders with that access.  

I know that the closure of the economy lot has been challenging for our passengers, especially during the peak holiday travel periods. However, given the volatility of the aviation industry over the past two years, it was not financially prudent for us to open the lot and resume the costly shuttle service. Now that things are settling down and our passenger volume is rising steadily, I am pleased to announce that we will reopen a portion of the economy lot in mid-to-late-April. There are 1,850 parking spots not immediately needed for the cargo expansion project that will be available to our passengers on a first come, first served basis.  This is just a short-term solution for our parking needs.  Our team is continuing to identify a location for a new economy lot that will be ready when the remainder of the current property is needed for the redevelopment project.   

This is an exciting time for the Division of Aviation. We now have key pieces in place to begin some of the projects that will transform the airport—and the Greater Philadelphia region—for generations.  

Thank you for your continued support.  

Chellie 

HR Updates 

Upcoming City Resource Group Meetings 

City Resource Groups are designed to ultimately make the City of Philadelphia a more inclusive place to work. All City Resource Groups must align with the three focus areas outlined in the City Resource Group Policy and Procedure Document. These focus areas include: 

1. Networking: Allowing City employees an opportunity to interact with one another 
2. Talent Development: Creating opportunities for City employees to provide talent development to members 
3. Enhance Diversity & Inclusion Strategies and Initiatives: City Resource Groups must produce at least one annual initiative or strategy that focuses on building a more diverse and inclusive City of Philadelphia workforce. 

If you are interested in participating or leading a resource group at PHL/PNE, email your ideas to [email protected]. There must be five people and a leader to implement a group. 

OnePhilly Reminders 

Employee Self Identification Census - Office of LGBT Affairs 

Employees can use OnePhilly to self-select identities that reflect their diverse characteristics.  All employees are encouraged to complete the self-identification census. Your participation can support the city’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.   

• A link to the user guide for the Employee Self Identification Census can be found: HERE. 
• A link to a comprehensive glossary of LGBTQ-related terms for those interested in a general-use resource can be found: HERE. 

Update your Emergency Contact 

Your emergency contact information can be updated by logging into the OnePhilly application, employee self-service, personal information. Please find attached instructions to update this information: HERE.

Rework Reminders 

Per the TSA masks are required on airport premises through April 18, 2022. 

• Non-vaccinated workers must double-mask. 
• Workers shouldn’t gather unmasked for any reason.

Employees are also reminded to use the city’s health screener, daily, and follow the guidance - https://www.phila.gov/employee-screener/#/ 

• If you are not well, stay home. Questions related to the employee screener may be forwarded to [email protected]. 

DOA employees must inform their supervisor and HR/Safety if they have not been cleared for work.   

Training and Development April Calendar 

April is Financial Literacy Month 

Stay tuned and get excited! We can’t unveil the details just yet (sorry!), but we can say to be on the lookout via email, Everbridge and the break room monitors for our upcoming financial wellness challenge and brown bag workshop.  

TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE UPDATES DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE, EMAIL [email protected] WITH YOUR EMAIL AND/OR CELL PHONE NUMBER. 

Staff Promotions

Congratulations to the Division of Aviation employees who were promoted in the month of March: 

Cynthia Peoples — Clerk 3

Gloria McNeil — Administrative Specialist 1, Confidential

Johnnae Brown — Administrative Specialist II

Linda Buck — Administrative Trainee 1,Confidential

Michael Swiencki — Engineering Specialist

New Hires

Welcome all Division of Aviation employees who were hired in the month of March:

Binu Thankachan — Stores Worker

Michael Hays — Stores Worker (Reinstatement)

Sean Anderson — Airport Operations Trainee

Anne Nadol Appointed City’s New Commerce Director 

Mayor Jim Kenney has appointed Anne K. Nadol as the City’s new Commerce Director. Nadol assumed her new role on March 29.  

Throughout her career, Nadol has held various positions in local and federal government, including Special Assistant to Mayor Ed Rendell and a Presidential Management Fellow in the Public and Private Programs Office at the International Trade Administration in the U.S. Department of Commerce. Since 2017, Nadol has served as a Mayoral and Chamber of Commerce appointee on the board of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC). 

To read more, click here.  

Delicsha Wilds Appointed Chief Integrity Officer at PHL 

As the Chief Integrity Officer at PHL, Delicsha will ensure the airport follows all rules and regulations set by the City of Philadelphia's Office of the Chief Integrity Officer. Her role will promote honesty, integrity, transparency and accountability by ensuring airport day-to-day operations are ethically compliant and provide the airport with confidential guidance on City ethics policies and laws including the Mayor’s Executive Order on Gifts.  

Information Security Update

Criminal groups have been ramping up phishing campaigns against US-based organizations and government in an attempt to gain access to their networks in the wake of US and allied sanctions against Russia. Once access is gained, it can be used to steal sensitive information or deploy destructive malware or ransomware in an effort to create disruptions in daily operations and extort the organization for payment. As a PHL associate, you remain one of the most effective tools in the fight against phishing attacks. Following these tips can help identify and respond to one: 

• Be skeptical of any email you weren’t expecting or that have an unusual context, even if you recognize the sender. Attackers commonly compromise accounts and use it to send phishes to contacts of that account. 
• Think twice about emails that pressure you to take immediate action by either opening an attachment or clicking a link. 
• Consider what your typical emails look like and be skeptical of those outside of the norm. Attackers are increasingly using emails that spoof Fax, Voicemail, O365, SharePoint, and other business services. 
• If you click a link, provide information, or open an attachment you think was suspicious it is critical to report that to [email protected] or by calling the Helpdesk immediately. 
• If you believe you received a phish, please report it to the Information Security Group by either using the Phish Alert button or by forwarding the email to [email protected]. 

DOA’s New Recycling Hauler: J.P. Mascaro and Sons  

The Division of Aviation is committed to reaching its zero waste goals by 2035. To further this commitment, the DOA is working with a new recycling hauler, J.P. Mascaro and Sons. This large regional hauler picks up and processes single stream recycling using modern technology that allows for processing of a wide variety of materials.  

The transition to J.P. Mascaro and Sons could not have come at a more opportune time for the airport. The recycling industry has been reeling from major changes over the last few years. The biggest processors of recycling material in the world were formerly in China. However, in January 2018 the Chinese government banned the importation of certain types of solid waste, implemented strict contamination limits on recyclable materials, and limited the number of recycling import licenses.  

As a response to these policies, the DOA’s previous hauler began to impose strict contamination rules and some previously recyclable materials began being treated as waste - most significantly the plastic bags that lined the recycling bins in the Airport. The bags were used to limit spills and odors - yet the DOA’s old hauler began to dump recyclable materials into the garbage because of the bags.  

J.P. Mascaro and Sons has the technology to open and separate plastic bags to address the contamination issues. The use of this technology will result in a reduced rejection rate of recycling loads and a greater rate of diversion of recyclable materials out of the regular waste stream.  

The DOA will continue to recycle paper, glass, aluminum cans, and all recyclable plastic materials numbered for identification:

1. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
2. High density polyethylene (HDPE)
3. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
4. Low density polyethylene (LDPE)
5. Polypropylene (PP)
6. Polystyrene (PS)
7. Other (BPA, polycarbonate, LEXAN).

The sustainability team is committed to investigating other strategies for increasing our diversion rate, such as composting, public awareness campaigns to reduce contamination, and expanding recycling facilities into new areas of the airport. 

What can you do to help recycling at PHL?

Liquid is one of the biggest contaminants in the DOA’s overall recyclable content because beverage containers make up a large part of the waste stream. To help keep waste streams clear, always finish your beverage or pour the rest down a drain before you put your container in the recycling bin. This applies to recycling in International Plaza and the terminals.

Check out the latest episode of the “Taking Off with Chellie Cameron” 

During Black History Month, CEO Chellie Cameron was joined by special guest Lt. Col. (Ret) Michael Hales, Director of Aviation Programs at Delaware State University, for her “Taking Off” podcast.  

DSU was one of six historically black colleges and universities that was designated as a Civilian Pilot Training Program during WWII and held a key position in developing the squadron that would become known as the Tuskegee Airmen.  

Lt. Col. Hales also discussed his military career and DSU’s current efforts to grow a training pipeline for pilots and aviation professionals of color.  

You can listen to all episodes of ‘Taking Off” at takingoff.podbean.com. While listening, be sure to like the episodes and share with family and friends.  

The Latest from PHL's Online Newsroom: 

At the Airport:   

PHL Bilingual Receptionists: Where Are They Now?  

Bilingual receptionists provide incoming passengers with translation assistance, including navigating the airport. Over the years, college student bilingual receptionists have made their mark at PHL and have grown both professionally and personally from their experiences. Read more to find out what some of them are doing now.    

Spring Break with PHL: Cyber Security Tips  

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is seeing an uptick in passenger numbers with spring break season underway. Although travelers may have a long checklist of items to bring on their trips, many probably will not include cyber security on that list. According to a 2018 survey by Morning Consult on behalf of IBM security, 70 percent of travelers engage in high-risk cyber behaviors while traveling. The study also found that 40 percent of people believed they may be at risk to cybercrimes while traveling to their destination. Read more here to learn how to protect yourself from cyber attacks. 

PHL Wins Uber Innovation Award

PHL was awarded Uber’s Innovation Award as part of Uber’s inaugural Airport Award Initiative. PHL was recognized as the airport that adapted to facilitate consistent service to its shared riders and passengers during an unprecedented time in travel. 

Capital Development: 

Women Lead One of PHL’s Most Impactful Projects  

PHL's Restroom Renovation Program is a multi-year, multi-million-dollar project to modernize all of the airport’s passenger-facing restrooms and add new ancillary spaces. In line with PHL’s strategic plan, this project will have a big impact as it aims to transform the guest (and employee) experience, optimize infrastructure, and build for the future. In addition to its significant impact and complexity, this project is noteworthy for the prevalence of Capital Development women engineers and designers. 

FDR Park Wetland Mitigation Project Receives $1M RACP Grant 

PHL received $1M in RACP (Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program) funding for the FDR Park Wetland Mitigation Project. RACP is a Pennsylvania grant program for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. 

Airlines:  

Frontier Announces Expansion of Non-Stop Flights from PHL 

On March 9, Frontier Airlines announced the expansion of its non-stop flights from PHL beginning in May 2022. The cities included in the expansion are Boston, Cincinnati and Kansas City, MO (all restored), and Chicago-Midway, Cleveland, and San Antonio (new). The additional routes will bring Frontier’s total number of non-stop destinations from PHL to 32 cities. 

Sustainability:

PHL Receives Shaw Contract Certificate of Appreciation for Sustainability and Carpet Recycling Efforts  

PHL's sustainability and recycling carpet efforts have been recognized by Shaw Contract with a certificate of appreciation. In 2021, PHL recycled 45 tons of carpet, further expanding PHL’s long-term commitment to sustainability in collaboration with Elliot-Lewis and Shaw Contract.   

Shopping & Dining News: 

PHL Celebrates Everything Cheesesteaks  

Every day is Cheesesteak Day in Philadelphia, but March 24 has been officially designated as National Cheesesteak Day. PHL — where travelers can enjoy cheesesteaks from 13 renowned PHL Food & Shops eateries throughout the airport—elevated the celebration of this Philadelphia delicacy to an entire week (March 21-25). Whiz, provolone, “wit” or “witout” — passengers were invited to explore all of the cheesesteak options as they made their way from Terminal A-West to Terminal F. 

People at PHL: 

The Division of Aviation’s Black History Month Philly Music, “PHLicks” and TV Show Playlist 

Throughout Black History Month, members of the City of Philadelphia’s Division of Aviation cultivated a playlist of some of the city’s influential Black musical performers and a must-see list of Philly “PHLicks” and TV shows set in Philadelphia, featuring hometown actors or having another connection to the city.  

Check out the latest PHL Employee Recognition Award recipients: 

PHL Teamwork Makes the Dreamwork: MarketPlacePHL Concourse Supervisors Carol Taylor and Celines Ortiz 

PHL/PNE CEO Chellie Cameron Named Airports Council Vice Chair  

PHL and PNE CEO Chellie Cameron was named Vice Chair of the Board of Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada. Cameron’s two-year appointment to the role began on January 1, 2022; she previously served as chair of the U.S. Policy Council for ACI-NA. 

The Women of Engine 78, Medic 30 Aircraft and Rescue Firefighting Unit at PHL  

In recognition of International Women’s Month, PHL shines the light on women who work in traditionally male dominated fields at the airport. The women in these fields are remarkable because they continue to step into roles that require skill, patience and confidence and they encourage other women to do the same. 

At PHL, Philadelphia Fire Department’s (PFD) Engine 78- Aircraft and Rescue Firefighting unit (ARFF) and Medic 30 are on standby for any emergency that occurs within the terminals, or any aircraft that may be in distress.