Marc Bofinger, the recently appointed Deputy Chief, Airport Operations Division of the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Engine 78, is no stranger to Philadelphia International Airport and its specialized Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) unit.

Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer— and the kick-off of the summer vacation season. But with some travel restrictions still in place and many people tentative about flying, what will summer 2020 look like at PHL?  

“Recent developments from our airline partners have made us cautiously optimistic as we move into June,” said Stephanie Wear, PHL’s Director of Air Service Development and Cargo.  

Being an airport essential employee during the COVID-19 crisis has been challenging, and at times, overwhelming. To show appreciation for essential personnel, the City of Philadelphia's Division of Aviation collaborated with MarketPlace PHL, the airport's food and shops organization, on a snack bag distribution.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, going out to your favorite restaurant, the mall, a concert or any other public space was an everyday occurrence. Now, according to The Washington Post, many Americans “are not ready to go out to their favorite destinations until they feel confident about being able to safely use a public restroom.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our world in a lot of ways. Among them are unprecedented numbers of workers doing their jobs from virtual offices at home and more and more people going online for shopping, COVID-related news and information, and making charitable donations.

While the masses gravitate in greater numbers to the digital world, it appears that cyber criminals have stepped up their game.

PHL CEO Chellie Cameron presented an airport update to an audience of more than 160 community leaders on May 22 for The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia's Virtual "Region On the Rise" event. Her presentation can be found below, covering PHL's traffic forecast, the CARES Act, how PHL is keeping passengers safe, and a survey where business travelers can submit feedback on the passenger experience. 

As the COVID-19 health crisis lingers into the Memorial Day weekend – the traditional start of the summer travel season – the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has introduced changes to the security screening process that aim to reduce the potential for cross-contamination at the security checkpoint in an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. TSA has already started implementation of these changes and more are slated by mid-June.

What is your current position at PHL and how long have you worked here?  

When the Grab platform was introduced for ordering food at the airport, it was seen as a convenience tool for travelers that wanted to pick up their meals quickly while on the way to their gates and employees with limited break time to purchase food. In the COVID-19 world, Grab is a way to promote physical distancing and safety, by allowing users to avoid queuing in crowded lines and limiting high touch interactions for restaurant staff.