Sky Harbor International Airport

Sky Harbor International Airport
Name	Sky Harbor International Airport
IATA	PHX
ICAO	KPHX
FAA	PHX
Owner	City of Phoenix
Operator	Phoenix Airport System
City-served	Phoenix metropolitan area
Location	Phoenix, Arizona
Elevation-f	1,135
Elevation-m	346
Coordinates	33, 26, 03, N...
Website	https://skyharbor.com

Sky Harbor International Airport. It is the largest and busiest airport in the U.S. state of Arizona and a major hub for the Phoenix metropolitan area. Owned and operated by the City of Phoenix through its Phoenix Airport System, the facility serves as a primary hub for American Airlines and a focus city for Southwest Airlines. The airport's strategic location and extensive facilities have made it a critical gateway for domestic and international travel to the Southwestern United States.

History

The airport's origins trace back to 1928 when it was established as a private airfield on land purchased by the City of Phoenix. Its first scheduled passenger service was inaugurated by Scenic Airlines in 1929. Significant expansion occurred during World War II when it was leased to the United States Army Air Forces and known as Phoenix Air Base. Post-war, the airport saw rapid growth with the rise of commercial aviation, leading to the construction of its first modern terminal, Terminal 2, in 1962. The iconic Terminal 3 opened in 1979, followed by the state-of-the-art Terminal 4 in 1990, which was built to accommodate the expanding hub operations of America West Airlines, later merged into American Airlines. Major renovations in the 21st century, including the PHX Sky Train automated people mover, have continually modernized the facility.

Facilities

The airport spans over 3,400 acres and features three active passenger terminals: Terminal 2, Terminal 3, and Terminal 4. Terminal 4 is one of the largest airport terminals in the United States by area and houses the majority of the airport's gates. The terminals are connected post-security and via the elevated, automated PHX Sky Train, which also links to the Rental Car Center and the Valley Metro Rail at the 44th Street Station. The airport operates three parallel runways, the longest being Runway 8/26 at 11,489 feet, capable of handling the world's largest aircraft like the Airbus A380. Other notable facilities include the Phoenix Air National Guard base and extensive fixed-base operator services for general aviation.

Airlines and destinations

As a major hub, the airport is served by numerous domestic and international carriers. American Airlines maintains its largest hub operation here, with flights to destinations across North America, Latin America, and Europe. Southwest Airlines utilizes it as a key focus city, offering an extensive network of domestic routes. Other significant carriers include Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Allegiant Air. International service includes non-stop flights to destinations such as London Heathrow Airport on British Airways, Frankfurt Airport on Condor Flugdienst, and various cities in Mexico and Canada on carriers like Aeroméxico and WestJet.

Ground transportation

Multiple options connect the airport to the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. The PHX Sky Train provides a direct, free link to the Valley Metro Rail light rail system at 44th Street Station, offering service to downtown Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa. Numerous Valley Metro bus routes serve the terminals. Taxi services, rideshare pick-up zones, and rental cars from the consolidated Rental Car Center are readily available. Major road access is provided via Interstate 10, Arizona State Route 143, and the Sky Harbor Boulevard interchange.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has experienced several notable aviation accidents. In 1944, a United States Army Air Forces B-17 Flying Fortress crashed shortly after takeoff, killing all on board. A significant commercial aviation accident occurred in 1990 when USAir Flight 1493, a Boeing 737, collided with SkyWest Airlines Flight 5569, a Fairchild Metroliner, on the runway, resulting in 22 fatalities. In 2007, a Pinnacle Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 experienced a runway excursion after landing, though there were no serious injuries. These events have contributed to ongoing enhancements in air traffic control procedures and runway safety areas.

Statistics

It is consistently ranked among the top ten busiest airports in the United States by passenger traffic. In 2023, it served over 48 million passengers, making it one of the busiest in the world. The airport is a major economic engine for Arizona, supporting over 57,000 jobs and generating an annual economic impact exceeding $38 billion. American Airlines commands the largest market share, followed closely by Southwest Airlines. Top domestic destinations include Los Angeles, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Denver, while Cancún and London are leading international markets.

Category:Airports in Arizona Category:Transportation in Phoenix, Arizona Category:Airports established in 1928