Even though we are celebrating the new year, it feels like Groundhog Day. COVID-19 continues to have an impact on the travel industry, with the Omicron variant causing an exponential rise in case numbers across the U.S. and around the world. Hopefully, with continued diligence and adherence to safety precautions and vaccination and booster guidelines, case rates will begin to drop once again.  

While we are still challenged by the pandemic, we did end 2021 with good news. Just before Christmas, we received word that the Division of Aviation will receive $30,721,947 for PHL and $763,000 for PNE in federal fiscal year 2022 as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. At PNE, the funding will be used to support capital development projects that improve the airfield infrastructure. The funding for PHL will be used to support our cargo expansion program.  

In the beginning of December, Spirit announced seven new nonstop destinations from PHL launching between February and May. Even more exciting is that the routes include Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, which starts in April, and Oakland, which begins in May. This is the first time in PHL’s history that our passengers will be able to fly nonstop to Aguadilla and the first time since 2007 that flights to Oakland are offered by one of our airline partners.  

American Airlines also released its international schedule last month. Equipment issues will keep American from reintroducing its Philadelphia-Shannon and Philadelphia-Edinburgh service in 2022. However, their PHL schedule will feature 12 daily flights to 11 destinations, including Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Paris, Dublin, Rome, Lisbon, London, Madrid, Venice and Zurich.  

This month we will launch our “Conversations with the Chiefs” series. On January 18 and 19, our chief officers and I will hold four sessions- three in person and one via Zoom-  for all shifts, to provide updates on our recovery and the future of the airport. Invitations for the sessions will be available shortly. I am looking forward to your participation, either in person or virtually.  

We are also starting the new year by welcoming Captain Robert Zaffino as the new commanding officer of the Airport Police Division. Our Operations team works very closely with the men and women of the Airport Police force to keep our passengers, employees and stakeholders safe. We are looking forward to partnering with Captain Zaffino in his new role. I’d also like to thank Captain Kimrey for his years of service to PHL.  

The Division of Aviation will be busy this winter, preparing our terminals for the more passengers this spring and summer and hiring new team members. No matter how busy you are, please don’t forget to take care of yourselves. Continue practicing health and safety protocols, get your COVID-19 booster when you are eligible and stay home when you are sick until you have recovered. The new variants are highly transmissible even among those who are vaccinated. Please do not let your guard down- we want everyone to be well.  

Thank you for all you do every day for our guests, our stakeholders and each other.   

Chellie 

HR Updates

Conversations with the Chiefs 

Join CEO Chellie Cameron and the Division of Aviation's chief officers for "Conversations with the Chiefs". In these quarterly sessions, senior team members will provide an update on a variety of airport initiatives and answer questions. 

In person sessions will be held on Tuesday, January 18, as follows: 

Join the virtual session on Wednesday, January 19, at 2 p.m. via Teams. 

Registration link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScWkM8iYN2al8U-9qffiFXUNDgSzT3RTuAWUCjPnqWet8gzXw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 

All attendees will be entered into a drawing for a gift card (two gift cards per session). 

Ready to Act on your Healthy New Year Resolutions? 

Join us for the Biggest Loser Challenge kick-off on  

January 19, 2022 at noon via Teams. 

Guest Speaker: Chellie Cameron

This is a friendly competition open to all DOA employees to see who can lose the highest percentage of weight in 12 weeks: January 19 – March 2, 2022.

PRIZE: 

Participants pay a registration fee of $50 that goes towards first, second, and third place prizes.   

Example: If 30 contestants sign up, the pot is: 

• First place: $750 
• Second place: $500
• Third place: $250 

The more participants that sign up, the higher the prizes! 

CASH prizes will be awarded via CASHAPP or cash. Winners will be announced during a virtual celebration on March 3, 2022.  

Email [email protected] for details on registering. 

WEIGH-INS: 

There are two mandatory weigh-ins, both held in Terminal E, 3rd Floor, Training Room: 

1. Starting weigh-ins will be held from January 18 – 21, 2022, as early as 6 a.m. and no later than 5:30 p.m.
2. Final weigh-ins will take place on March 2, as early as 6 a.m. and no later than 5:30 p.m. in Terminal E, 3rd floor, Training Room. 

Participants are required to sign off in agreement on both weights.   

The weigh-ins are conducted privately, and all information obtained remains completely confidential.     

CALCULATING WEIGHT LOSS: 

First, second and third place winners are determined by calculating the PERCENTAGE of weight lost, NOT actual pounds. This levels the playing field for those who may not need to lose an excessive amount of weight.   

The challenge formula is as follows: 

• Divide number of pounds lost by the starting weight. 
• Multiply the answer by 100 

Ex: Mr. X started the competition at 230.6 lbs. and lost 17.2 lbs. His percentage of weight lost  is 7.45 percent. 

Ex: Ms. Y started the competition at 170.9 lbs. and lost 12.8 lbs. Her percentage of weight lost  is 7.48 percent. 

Ms. Y lost the higher percentage of weight. 

CHECK WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN 

Participants may utilize any method/diet/exercise plan of their choice to lose weight, but please be sure to check with your physician before starting any weight loss program!   

Thurs-yay! Water Cooler Conversations are back! 

Join us on the last Thursday of every month! 

Thurs-yay! Water Cooler Conversations are a virtual platform used to promote positive work culture, teamwork and collaboration during the pandemic. Join us for fun discussions, games and activities. This is a great opportunity to meet new people, catch up with colleagues and relieve some stress. Hope to see you there! 

Rework Reminders 

The current COVID-19 Omicron variant rate of transmission is 73.2 percent.

Employees are reminded to: 

• Stay home when they are sick
• Avoid the 3Cs: Crowded places, Close-contact settings and Confined and enclosed spaces.
• Remember the 3Ws: Wear your masks, Wash your hands and Watch your distance. 

Prior to the start of their work shifts, ALL EMPLOYEES must complete the City’s daily health questionnaire at:  

https://www.phila.gov/employee-screener/#/   

HR ASSISTANCE – UPLOADING VACCINATION CARDS INTO ONEPHILLY 

Employees who are unable to upload and/or who experience difficulty uploading proof of vaccination into the OnePhilly system, can visit HR for uploading assistance. 

WHEN: Monday-Friday 

TIME: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM 

WHERE: Terminal E, 3rd floor – HR Reception Area 

Don’t forget to bring your proof of vaccination! 

TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF EMPLOYEE UPDATES DIRECTLY TO YOUR PHONE, EMAIL [email protected] WITH YOUR EMAIL AND/OR CELL PHONE NUMBER. 

Outside Employment and Self-Employment Advisory  

City employees are generally permitted to hold outside employment. However, there is a policy and approval process to engage in outside and self-employment for City employees in the executive branch. We encourage you to review this policy and share with your colleagues, but here are a few key rules: 

• Any outside job must be done on your personal time, and you may not use City resources (vehicles, computers, printers, office spaces, etc.).
• You must receive approval from your department or agency head for any outside employment, including self-employment using this Approval Form. 
• Your department or agency may have additional or stricter policies about outside employment. Check with your HR Manager.   

Questions? Contact your HR Manager or [email protected]. 

Employee Milestones

Staff Promotions 

Congratulations to the Division of Aviation employees who were promoted in the month of December: 

Barry Tompkins — Civil Engineer 2

Latia Hayes — Administrative Specialist 2 Non Confidential

Api Appulingam Named to 2021 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40 

Congratulations to Deputy Director of Aviation, Capital Development Api Appulingam on being named to Airport Business’ “Top 40 Under 40” for 2021.   

Api joined the DOA in 2019.  In addition to her role at the airport, she is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) Committee chair for the Northeast Chapter of American Association of Airport Executives and Philadelphia Chapter president-elect for Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS).  

Information Security Group Thanks DOA Staff for Keeping the Airport Safe

Happy New Year, team PHL! The airport's Information Security Group thanks all staff members for their efforts over the past year in keeping our organization safe from cyber-attacks. Whether it was reporting a suspicious emails, avoiding risky websites, or completing security training, small actions taken every day by each of you played a vital role in protecting PHL. Cyber Security is truly a team effort and would not be possible without you! Here's to another great year!

Coming Soon- Spirit and American Airlines Announce New and Resuming Routes for 2022 

Spirit Airlines will launch seven nonstop routes from PHL between February 16-May 18, 2022.  The service includes the first-ever nonstop service from PHL to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (beginning April 20), and, for the first time since October 2007, nonstop service to Oakland. The additions are:  

 Spirit will also increase its PHL-Cancun service to daily departures beginning April 20.   

American Airlines also recently announced its summer 2022 trans-Atlantic service and will operate up to 12 daily flights to 11 destinations this summer.  

Operating daily from March 27-October 29:  

American will also operation daily nonstop service to Athens (ATH) from April 6-September 7 and Venice (VCE) from May 6 through October 29.  

OrderAtPHL.com Discount Code Reminder 

Employees using OrderAtPHL.com, either through the app or online, should use the code TEAMPHL when ordering food, and to ensure the $2.99 fee if having food delivered to their location.  

For more information about OrderAtPHL.com, click here.

The Latest from PHL's Online Newsroom

At the Airport:    

Masks Required at PHL At PHL through March 18, 2022  

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that it will extend its mask requirement for transportation systems until March 18, 2022, due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19.  

Introducing PHL’s Passenger Assistance Team  

On a day-to-day basis, the Passenger Assistance team can be found providing directional assistance and translation services to PHL’s guests who do not speak English. The team of four professionals, most of whom are bilingual, also utilize Google Translate to ensure that guests are able to communicate, regardless of their language, when arriving at PHL. 

Capital Development:  

PHL Completes Terminal D/E Apron Pavement Repairs

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) recently completed pavement repairs at the Terminal D/E apron, replacing the most frequently used sections of concrete pavement within the terminal's alleyway. Much of the existing apron and taxilane pavement was over 60 years old and exhibiting signs of structural and environmental distress. 

Operations and Security:  

PHL: Passenger Transfer Vehicles Are No Thing of The Past 

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is one of a few airports in America that continues to utilize its Passenger Transfer Vehicles (PTVs). 

In the Community:  

PHL Partners with FDR Park to Create Wetlands  

Philadelphia International Airport is proud to participate in the FDR Park Plan, a public space transformation program located 3.5 miles west of PHL. The airport will support the creation of a 30-35-acre complex of tidal wetlands at FDR Park, increasing climate resilience for the park, the airport and the region at large.  

People At PHL:  

PHL And PNE Recognize Current and Retired Employees  

On December 7, the City of Philadelphia’s Division of Aviation held its annual employee recognition event, honoring Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) staff that celebrated 15, 25 and 35 years of service with the city or retired from the Division of Aviation during 2021.