Roberta Aguirre
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a civil-military public airport located 3 miles east of downtown Phoenix, Arizona, United States. It is owned and operated by the City of Phoenix, which purchased the airport from Acme Investment Company for $100,000 in 1935. Phoenix Sky Harbor is the largest and busiest airport in Arizona and among the largest commercial airports in the United States, serving as a hub for major airlines such as American Airlines and Southwest Airlines. With a rich history dating back to its founding in 1928, the airport has undergone significant expansion and development over the years, including the construction of multiple terminals and concourses to accommodate the growing passenger traffic. Today, Phoenix Sky Harbor continues to play a crucial role in air travel, offering nonstop flights to various destinations worldwide and handling millions of passengers annually.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Owner | City of Phoenix |
| Previous Owners | Scenic Airways, Acme Investment Company |
| Year of Purchase by Current Owner | 1935 |
| Amount Paid | $100,000 |
| Location | 3 miles (2.6 nmi; 4.8 km) east of downtown Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, US |
| Type of Airport | Civil-military public international airport |
| Ranking in Arizona | Largest and busiest airport in Arizona |
| Ranking in the US | 14th busiest airport in 2021 |
| Ranking Worldwide | 33rd busiest airport in the world in 2021 |
| Airlines Using the Airport | American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Starlux Airlines, British Airways, and more |
| Military Presence | Yes, home to the 161st Air Refueling Wing (161 ARW) of the Arizona Air National Guard |
| Number of Terminals | 4 |
| Passenger Traffic | 48.65 million passengers in 2024 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The City of Phoenix purchased the airport in 1935
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a civil-military public international airport located 3 miles (4.8 km) east of downtown Phoenix, in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is Arizona's largest and busiest airport, serving as a hub for American Airlines and a base for Frontier Airlines and Southwest Airlines. The airport is also home to the 161st Air Refueling Wing (161 ARW) of the Arizona Air National Guard.
When Phoenix purchased the airport in 1935, there were doubts about the value of the investment. Indeed, it was considered a risky purchase at the time. The airport had a humble beginning, with just one runway surrounded by farmland, and cows had to be cleared from the runway for planes to land. Despite these modest origins, the airport has played a significant role in the growth of Phoenix, particularly during World War II when it became a major pilot training hub.
The development of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has kept pace with the city's growth. The first "modern" terminal was completed in October 1952 at a cost of $853,000. Terminal 2, constructed in 1962 for $2.7 million, was one of the nation's most modern facilities at the time. However, passenger usage tripled in less than a decade, necessitating the construction of Terminal 3 in 1979. Terminal 4, the largest structural capital improvement project in Phoenix at the time, opened in November 1990 with five concourses and 44 gates.
Today, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is among the largest commercial airports in the United States. In 2021, it was ranked as the 14th busiest airport in the country and 33rd busiest worldwide. The airport continues to expand and modernize, with recent additions such as the PHX Sky Train and the eighth concourse, reflecting its growing importance as a transportation hub.
Niagara Falls Airport: Gateway to Scenic Wonder
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport's name was conceived by J. Parker Van Zandt
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a civil-military public international airport located in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is Arizona's largest and busiest airport, serving as a hub for airlines like American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. The airport is currently owned by the City of Phoenix, which purchased it for $100,000 in 1935 or 1936.
The airport's name, Sky Harbor, was conceived by J. Parker Van Zandt, an aviation pioneer and pilot in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I. Born in 1894 in Illinois, Van Zandt's passion for flying was ignited when he refuelled at the Grand Canyon while working for the Ford Motor Company. This experience led him to negotiate a deal with the Fred Harvey Company to offer tourists flights over the Grand Canyon.
In November 1928, Van Zandt purchased 278 acres of farmland on the outskirts of Phoenix, where he founded and built Sky Harbor Airport. He constructed a large airplane hangar and a runway, making Sky Harbor the fourth airport in Phoenix. Van Zandt's company, Scenic Airways, operated the airport until the Stock Market Crash of 1929, after which they sold it to Acme Investment Company.
Van Zandt remained active in the aviation industry throughout his life. He held various roles with organisations like the Civil Aeronautics Board, the United Nations, and the State Department's Aviation Section of NATO. J. Parker Van Zandt passed away in 1990 at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy that includes the establishment of Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport and numerous other contributions to the field of aviation.
Peoria, Illinois: Airport Accessibility and Travel Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Phoenix Sky Harbor is Arizona's largest and busiest airport
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a civil-military public airport located 3 miles (4.8 km) east of downtown Phoenix, in Maricopa County, Arizona. It is owned and operated by the City of Phoenix, which purchased it from Acme Investment Company for $100,000 in 1935. Sky Harbor was founded and built by J. Parker Van Zandt, owner of Scenic Airways, in 1928.
The airport has grown significantly since its early days, with Terminal 2 opening in 1962, followed by Terminal 4 in 1990, and Terminal 3 in 1976. Phoenix Sky Harbor has also expanded its routes, with the first transatlantic flight arriving in 1996, and the first non-stop flight to Asia scheduled for 2026.
Today, Phoenix Sky Harbor is Arizona's largest and busiest airport, ranking 14th busiest in the United States and 33rd busiest worldwide in 2021. The airport serves as a hub for major airlines such as American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Frontier Airlines. It also houses the 161st Air Refueling Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard, known as the Goldwater Air National Guard Base.
The airport's growth has been impressive, with passenger traffic exceeding pre-COVID levels and reaching a record high of 48.65 million passengers in 2023. Phoenix Sky Harbor continues to be a vital transportation hub for the state of Arizona, offering a wide range of domestic and international destinations for travellers.
The Mystery Unveiled: Sydney Airport Ownership
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Airport: The Complete Collection [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81-nvGF8wgL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Terminal 2 opened in 1962, but closed in 2020
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is a civil-military public international airport located in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. It is owned by the City of Phoenix, which purchased it from Acme Investment Company in 1935. The airport is Arizona's largest and busiest airport and is among the largest commercial airports in the United States.
Terminal 2 of the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport opened in 1962 and closed in 2020. The terminal was constructed for $2.7 million and included 330,000 square feet and 19 gates, making it one of the most modern facilities in the nation at the time. The terminal featured a prominent 75-foot-wide three-part Phoenix mural by the late Paul Coze, which depicted the city's past, present, and future. Terminal 2 was remodelled in 2007 with new shops, restaurants, and improved security checkpoints.
The closure of Terminal 2 in 2020 came after 58 years of service. The Phoenix mural was carefully saved and relocated to the Rental Car Center in 2021. The airport began the process of dismantling and moving the mural, which comprised 52 elements plastered in large panels affixed to the wall. The delicate process ensured the safe transport of the artwork to its new location.
The closure of Terminal 2 was not an isolated incident, as Terminal 1 had previously outlived its usefulness and was closed. With the closure of Terminal 2, passengers had to adjust their travel routines, walking to Terminal 3 or taking the PHX Sky Train to Terminal 4 to catch their flights. The parking garage and lot of Terminal 2 remained open to the public, offering a more affordable option compared to other terminal parking choices.
The City of Phoenix is continuously working to enhance the airport's infrastructure to accommodate the growing number of passengers. In 2023, the airport served nearly 49 million travellers. Plans are underway to add a new terminal to the west end of the airport, addressing the increasing demand and ensuring a seamless travel experience for its patrons.
Airports in Orlando, Florida: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Terminal 4 opened in 1990, costing $248 million
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is owned and operated by the City of Phoenix, which purchased the airport in 1935 from Acme Investment Company for $100,000. It is located 3 miles (4.8 km) east of downtown Phoenix, in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. As Arizona's largest and busiest airport, it is among the largest commercial airports in the country.
The airport has a rich history, with Scenic Airways owner J. Parker Van Zandt founding and building it in 1928. It was the fourth airport built in Phoenix. The name "Sky Harbor" was conceived by Van Zandt, although the reasoning behind it remains unknown. The airport's early location in an "isolated rural setting" may have contributed to this moniker, and it was nicknamed "the farm."
Over the years, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has undergone significant expansion and development. Terminal 4, which opened in November 1990, was a significant milestone in the airport's history. The terminal cost $248 million to construct and was, at the time, the largest structural capital improvement project in Phoenix. Terminal 4 was designed to accommodate the growing demand for air travel and to enhance the airport's capabilities.
The construction of Terminal 4 began with the core and three concourses, two of which were intended for America West Airlines and one for international arrivals. However, due to a route expansion by Southwest Airlines, additional concourses had to be added before the terminal's completion. Terminal 4 opened with five concourses and 44 gates, spanning 3.9 million square feet. In its first year of operation, Terminal 4 handled 15.4 million passengers, accounting for 70% of Sky Harbor's total traffic in 1991.
The development of Terminal 4 demonstrates the dynamic nature of the aviation industry and the ongoing need for airports to adapt to changing demands and requirements. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has continued to evolve, playing a crucial role in Arizona's aviation landscape and contributing to its status as one of the largest and busiest airports in the United States.
LGA Airport Renovation: When Will It Be Completed?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The City of Phoenix owns and operates Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.
The name "Sky Harbor" was conceived by J. Parker Van Zandt, the owner of Scenic Airways, in 1928.
The City of Phoenix purchased Sky Harbor Airport from Acme Investment Company in 1935 for $100,000.
With an annual average of 19,966,289 passengers between 1951 and 2024, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is Arizona's largest and busiest airport.
