October 2024
Phoenix Sky Harbor in the Community
The City of Phoenix Aviation Department had a robust year of community outreach efforts. Our team participated in and/or supported 180 community events, airport tours and aviation presentations, with 26,573 attendees between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. The efforts included 47 speaking engagements with 4,920 attendees, 91 airport tours with 3,983 attendees, and 42 community events with 17,670 attendees.
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport demonstrates its commitment to community by creating a positive relationship with the people of metropolitan Phoenix, business partners, tenants and airport customers through open communication, goodwill activities, community outreach and education programs.
Community speaking engagements and airport tours for business groups, community organizations and schools have been an effective way to reach various organizations. Speaker topics include Phoenix Airport System history, aviation services and amenities updates, capital improvement project overviews, sustainability and careers in aviation. Airport tours of Phoenix Sky Harbor provide a better understanding of airport operations, including a ride on the PHX Sky Train® and a visit to one of the terminals.
Aviation staff spoke at conferences including the Southwest American Association of Airport Executives Summer and Arizona Airports Association Conferences. Staff engaged the public at major community events such as the Fiesta Bowl and Phoenix PRIDE parades, Laveen Community Barbecue and East Valley Institute of Technology Aviation Program Fair. They also hosted monthly job fairs, the inaugural Youth Aviation Academy, the SOAR with STEM and Wings for Autism events. Staff provided insight about careers in aviation while participating in the Maryvale Jobs and Resource Fair and the Rogers Ranch STEM Professionals Career Day.
Aviation Public Relations staff and Navigator volunteers conducted 56 STEAM-focused airport tours for 16 schools with more than 3,200 students and staff from the Cartwright School District (Cartwright). Cartwright is located along the airport flight path to the west of PHX and downtown Phoenix.
Real-life examples of science, technology, engineering, art and math at PHX were highlighted by staff during the tours. Students visited the Phoenix Airport Museum where they learned about art and history and the roles played by the museum and staff. For science, staff explained how weather impacts aircraft flights and operations. Under technology, staff reviewed aviation technology, employee geo-fencing, and TSA checkpoint queuing areas. Staff also discussed career opportunities in aviation and airports, including pilots, customer service agents, HVAC technicians, police, ramp agents, airplane and vehicle mechanics, security screeners and air traffic controllers.
Airport tours were also provided to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Foundation for Blind Children, Phoenix 99s, the City Auditor and Street Transportation city departments, Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Arizona Autism Charter School.
Phoenix Sky Harbor employees tally hours spent contributing their time and talents volunteering for various community events:
8+ Hours:
- Nicole D.
- Kristeen W.
24+ Hours:
- Alex C.