US Airways and the city of Philadelphia have reached an agreement on a two-year lease deal resulting in a $734 million investment geared towards improving the airport-it is the first step in a very contentious $6.4 billion augmentation.
"We have reached agreement on the near term completion of projects critical to the continued improvement of US Airways operations and customer service at PHL as well as a playbook for pursuing the long term development of the airport," said Doug Parker, US Airways Chairman and CEO, according to phillytrib.com.
In the works are plans for a longer runway, adding a fifth runway, which would mean demolishing 72 houses the adjacent Tinicum Township ( placement of an automated baggage system and passenger security areas and massive redesigns of Terminals B and C, including more infinite and centralized passenger screen checkpoints, airport infrastructure-replacing the roof and window panels, restrooms, upgrading the escalators, roadways, concession, flight information screen, a rental car facility...and many other projects that will improve the airport.
All of these step-by-step improvements are small facets of an extensive makeover, most of which haven't garnered mass controversy.
Our airline carriers are vitally important partners in our mission to sustain and fuel the economic engine of the entire Philadelphia region," said Mayor Michael Nutter, in a statement. "We share a mutual goal of increasing the region's connectivity and significance in the global marketplace. This agreement facilitates the continuation of our partnership to move forward with the projects that are crucial to the airport and the region."
Assuming the project proceeds on schedule without any bumps along the way, this renovation should be completed by 2025.
Approximately 30 million people walk through the airport's terminals yearly and that number is expected to double by 2030.
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