PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) today celebrated a major milestone – the completion of a five-year project that extended Runway 27L, one of its two main runways, by 1,500 feet and constructed several new taxiways. The lengthened runway, which has expanded to 12,000 feet, can accommodate the newest fleet of large aircraft that are popular on many long-haul international routes.
Mayor Jim Kenney joined Airport CEO Chellie Cameron, and FAA Associate Administrator for Airports Kirk Shaffer in a ribbon cutting ceremony at Engine 78, the City Fire Department unit at the Airport, near the extended runway.
The $200 million project began in 2014 and was completed in phases. In addition to the 1,500-foot extension to the runway, the project resulted in 10,300 feet added from new and realigned taxiways, providing more space to queue planes and improve airfield circulation.
“The completion of this effort represents not only the extension of a runway and an expansion of taxiways. This project is about something bigger, which is about connecting Philadelphia to the world,” Kenney said. “Infrastructure investments like this project make PHL a serious contender in the global aviation industry.”
Cameron noted, “PHL has seen significant growth in recent years, and our partner airlines are adding new service to more cities both here and abroad. Next June, American Airlines is launching its first direct flight to Africa with non-stop service from PHL to Casablanca. The extended runway and added airfield space will give us more flexibility in accommodating the newer fleet of aircraft that are being flown on international routes to Asia and beyond.”
Philadelphia International Airport is owned and operated by the City of Philadelphia. The Airport is a self‐sustaining entity that operates without the use of local tax dollars. It is one of the largest economic engines in Pennsylvania, generating an estimated $15.4 billion in spending annually and supporting more than 96,300 full‐time jobs for the 11‐county Philadelphia MSA.
The project was funded through a combination of federal and state grants, Passenger Facility Charges, Airport revenue sources.