ARIZONA NEWS

Phoenix Sky Harbor feeling economic impact of coronavirus pandemic

Mar 27, 2020, 4:45 AM | Updated: Aug 11, 2024, 8:10 am

(Facebook photo/Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport)...

(Facebook photo/Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport)

(Facebook photo/Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport)

PHOENIX — As COVID-19 continues to take its toll on Arizona, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has seen the economic impact of the virus firsthand.

Amid a sparse crowd practicing social distancing in a city council meeting that wouldn’t allow in-person public participation, Sky Harbor’s Director of Aviation Services Jim Bennett flashed pictures of emptiness of the airport to the Phoenix mayor and City Council.

“Last year, we had the busiest year in the history of Sky Harbor Airport, with a record 46.3 million passengers,” Bennett said. “Fiscal year to date, through February, we were showing a 3.9% increase over last year.”

It would take a miracle turnaround to get Sky Harbor to its projected 48-million passengers in 2020, along with all the revenue they would generate at the airport.

This month, year over year, Bennett reported parking revenue is down 81%, and rental car bus ridership is down 93%.

With practically no passengers, the airport has practically no concessionaires.

“More than 1,000 of their associates and managers have lost their jobs directly related to the downturn in the activity at the airport,” Bennett said.

However, Bennett says construction workers are still busy on capital and infrastructure projects.

“They also support 3,000 jobs, and these are good construction jobs in our community,” Bennett said. “These projects are either bond-funded or funded with federal grants.

“We will need these investments at the airport — when we come out of this downturn — in late 2022 or in 2023.”

The U.S. House of Representatives votes Friday on a $2 trillion stimulus package that includes $10 billion dollars for airports.

Bennett says Sky Harbor would get a piece of that.

Meanwhile, airport staffers employed by the city are staying busy by doing extra cleaning and sanitizing of all of the airport’s buildings.

Bennett also announced a deferral of payments from airlines for 90 days while they await a return of business and their own federal bailout.

symbaloo noticias en español
symbaloo red noticias en español
Symbaloo active news network
Symbaloo redeativanoticias
Symbaloo redeativanoticias
Symbaloo rede ativa noticias
Articulos el diario de parana
Noticias de el diario de parana
Articulos PlanetaGoles
Noticias PlanetaGoles
Noticias GloboDeportivo
Noticias Periodico365
Imagenes Periodico365
Imagenes UniversoDeportivo
Articulos UniversoDeportivo
ArticulosSportDomainLab
Imagenes SportDomainLab
Imagenes SnakerBreaker
Articulos SneakerBreaker
Inmagenes Viddheo
Articulos RotaAccesivel
Imagenes CentralDaPauta
Articulos CentralDaPauta
Imagenes JornalHojeLivre
Articulos JournalHojeLivre
Articulos Jornal365
Imagenes Jornal365
Imagenes 365Dicas
Articulos 365Dicas
Articulos ApostasEsportivas
Imagenes ApostasEsportivas
Imagenes JornalEsportes
Articulos JornalEsportes
Articulos NoticiasPT
Imagenes NoticiasPT
Array

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

research funding...

Kevin Stone

Arizona joins lawsuit to stop Trump research funding cuts that could cost state millions

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes joined a multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration to protect medical and public health research funding.

1 hour ago

The Arizona Constitution currently provides legislative immunity for traffic violations....

Kevin Stone

Arizona Republican wants lawmakers to follow same traffic laws as everyone else

An Arizona lawmaker introduced a resolution that would refer a constitutional amendment ending legislative immunity for traffic violations to the ballot.

2 hours ago

Officials: WM Phoenix Open 2025 more peaceful than last year...

Serena O'Sullivan

This year’s WM Phoenix Open upgrades made event smoother, more respectful, organizers say

Event organizers put in place a variety of changes during the WM Phoenix Open 2025 after weather conditions and crowd issues last year.

3 hours ago

Detectives are looking for the suspect in a fatal shooting at a Phoenix apartment complex....

Kevin Stone

Police seek suspect after fatal shooting at west Phoenix apartment complex

Detectives are trying to find a suspect after a fatal shooting over the weekend at a west Phoenix apartment complex.

4 hours ago

A man was stabbed to death near the Arizona Capitol complex in Phoenix over the weekend....

Kevin Stone

Man stabbed to death at bus stop near Arizona Capitol in Phoenix

A man was stabbed to death near the Arizona Capitol complex in Phoenix over the weekend, authorities said.

5 hours ago

Phoenix forecast rain...

Kevin Stone

Phoenix could see its heaviest rainfall in months later this week

The metro Phoenix forecast calls for a warm start to the week followed by a quick cooldown, with a good chance for the heaviest rainfall in months.

6 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to start your retirement planning early and avoid costly mistakes

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can avoid costly pitfalls.

...

The UPS Store

How The UPS Store is giving back to the community

PHOENIX -- As 2024 nears a close, The UPS Store is looking to give back to the Arizona community with the holiday season approaching.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

Phoenix Sky Harbor feeling economic impact of coronavirus pandemic