Three years might seem like a long time, but remember, it was just three years ago that we were in the height of the pandemic. 2026 will be here before we know it and it is never too soon to start planning for our role of being the gateway that welcomes the world to Philadelphia.  

There is much to do to get ready for 2026—continue our efforts to hire the staff needed to ensure we will meet the demands of our guests; renovate and enhance our facilities to offer an optimal overall guest experience; and work with our stakeholders on creating a shared airport culture that is welcoming to everyone and conductive to the success of the DOA and our partners.   

You will learn more about the airport-wide guest experience culture in the coming months, as the process to create this shared vision is just beginning.  In June, leaders from across PHL met to discuss core values and behaviors that are important to everyone. This group will reconvene later this month to finalize the new guest experience mission and learn how to bring this new way of thinking to all employees and organizations that operate at PHL. Thank you to Guest Experience Director Leah Douglas and Assistant Director Elizabeth Moselle for their hard work and leading this exciting initiative.   

I also want to remind you that the employee engagement survey will be open July 12-26. Please be sure to look for the communications from Flex in your in-box, Everbridge messages and in the employee breakrooms. Please take some time to fill out the anonymous surveys.  To improve the airports for everyone, we need your participation.  This is your chance to be heard.  

Thank you again for what you do for the airports every day. Have a safe and happy July 4th holiday and a wonderful summer.  

-Atif 

HR Updates

Updates to City COVID-19 Policy

Recently, the City’s Board of Health announced several changes to city-wide COVID-19 safety protocols that reflect Philadelphia’s on-going progress in mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, as of May 11, 2023, the federal government ended the federal Public Health Emergency (PHE).  Accordingly, the Chief Administrative Office announced significant updates to many of our COVID-19 safety protocols, which ensure they are aligned with both Federal and local COVID-19 safety recommendations.  Most notably:

1. updated masking requirements for unvaccinated employees
2. revised vaccination requirements for new employees
3. removed requirement for employees to do daily symptom screener
4. discontinue the advance of sick-time for COVID-19

We ask that you please review the details of the the updated policy thoroughly and direct any questions you may have to [email protected].

City Resource Group (CRG) and Airport Empowerment Group (AEG) Meetings

 CRGs

• AAPI: Meets on the last Thursday of every month. 
• Latindad: Meets on the fourth Thursday of every month.  
• LGBTQ+: Meets on the third Wednesday of every month.  
• New and Expecting Parents: Meets on the second Friday of each month.  
• Women of Color: Meets on the last Friday of each month.  

For questions about the City of Philadelphia City Resource Groups contact Brenna Schmidt at [email protected]. 

AEGs

• Young Professionals (YoPro): Meet on the last Tuesday of every month from noon to 1 PM. All DOA employees 40 and under are invited to attend. Email [email protected] for calendar invites.  

ABOUT CRGs & AEGs: Employee Resource groups are designed to ultimately make the City of Philadelphia and DOA more inclusive places to work. Focus areas include networking, talent development and enhancing diversity and inclusion strategies and initiatives. If you are interested in participating or leading an AEG at PHL/PNE, email your idea(s) to [email protected]. There must be five people and a leader for implementation. 

Help us pick a Combined Campaign theme and win $100!

Over the last four decades, City employees have raised nearly $39 million for local charities. The generosity and commitment of City employees remains unmatched, and since this is YOUR campaign, we think YOU should decide the theme for our 40th anniversary year!

The employee who submits the winning theme will receive a $100 Visa gift card!

You may enter up to three different themes, but please only submit one form per person. Only City employees and City contract employees may participate.

The campaign theme should be a nod to Philadelphia and can be positive, uplifting, funny, clever or moving–whatever inspires you give and may inspire others to give as well. Be creative!

Entries must be received no later than July 7. A winner will be chosen the week of July 10th and will be notified by email and announced in the Citywide employee newsletter the following week.

HR Open House

Please join Human Resources for our HR Open House on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 from 6AM-6PM at International Plaza 2, Suite 325 floor, HR Offices. 

Employees will have an opportunity to:

• Review and update personal information
• Speak with representatives from Penn Behavioral Health EAP, Deferred Comp, and the unions.
• Receive information from the Board of Pensions
• Receive assistance with gaining access to PHL.Org email and OnePhilly system
• Receive important safety and training information

Have Questions? Contact HR at 215-863-EZHR (3947) or at [email protected].

Elevate Leadership Excellence Program:

The City of Philadelphia is launching the Elevate Leadership Excellence (ELE) program in September 2023.  

• This leadership development program was created through a partnership with the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Office of Human Resources (OHR) and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI).
• The audience for the program is:
  • Newly promoted supervisors and managers,
  • Mid-level supervisors and managers in need of training, and;
  • High potential employees ready for leadership roles.
• The program is designed to offer leadership development opportunities across the City workforce.
• This program was developed in response to a need for consistent standards and expectations from City leaders to grow:
  • their emotional intelligence,
  • ability to facilitate difficult conversations
  • ability to supervise across differences. 
• The program will ensure new and current leaders understand and use DEI principles in their day-to-day decision making and communications.
• The ELE program will be a total of 4 ½ days of learning spread over 3 months. 
• If you or someone whom you supervise is interested in participating please contact [email protected] by July 21, 2023. (Please note, space is limited for participation)

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

Training Calendar

 = Provided by the City of Philadelphia

PHL WELL's brown bag workshops will be returning in Fall with new workshops, we'll also revive some favorite seminars. 

Message of thanks from PHL/WELL 

PHL/WELL thanks the DOA community for continued support of our challenges, workshops, and events. We're excited about the wellness journey we've been on together as an organization and look forward to seeing you in the Fall.  

If there are any WELLness workshop ideas you would be interested in us providing you, please don't hesitate to email them to us at [email protected].  

Let’s continue to get PHL/WELL together! 

Staff Promotions

Congratulations to David Thompson, who was promoted to Custodial Worker 2 in June 2023.

New Hires

Welcome to our new hires:

Cierra Thomas/Office Clerk 2

Danielle Garrett, Administrative Assistant Non-Confidential

Jose Rivera, HVAC Mechanic 2

Khalil Carter, Inventory Control Technician

Louella Girroir, Engineering Intern

Qyiana Churn, Staffing Supervisor

Shakita Long El, Custodial Worker 2

Register for PHL's 5K on the Runway Run/Walk

Join us for the 6^th PHL 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, September 23! Participants will get to experience running on an actual runway used by commercial aircraft, while supporting the March of Dimes, Eastwick Friends & Neighbors Coalition and Eastwick United CDC.  

Registration will be open from July 10 - September 17. To be guaranteed a race shirt, register by August 10th.

This is truly a once (or sixth) in a lifetime opportunity!

Free SEPTA passes for eligible City employees

We are happy to announce that the City of Philadelphia, as part of a 2-year pilot program, has partnered with SEPTA to provide free SEPTA passes to eligible City employees through the SEPTA Key Advantage Program. This benefit is scheduled to be in place at least until June 30, 2024.

Starting for the September benefit month, eligible City of Philadelphia employees may elect to participate in SEPTA KeyAdvantage, which gives them access to travel anywhere, anytime, and on all modes of transit and regional rail, on SEPTA at no cost.

If you are currently enrolled in the SEPTA Commuter Benefits program via Health Equity and would like to participate in the Key Advantage Program, you must cancel your September pass no later than July 5, 2023. (The City and SEPTA cannot provide reimbursement if you do not cancel your September pass).

Parking Benefits will continue to be managed by Health Equity. If you wish to maintain this benefit, please continue to contribute funds as per your normal process. Once enrollment for the Key Advantage Program is open, you must have a registered SEPTA Key card to receive the benefit. If you already have a SEPTA Key card, you can use your existing card and will not need to obtain a new Key card. To streamline the enrollment process for this benefit, we will be working with jawnt, a Philly-based technology company committed to providing sustainable transit to organizations.

Who is eligible to participate in the free SEPTA KeyAdvantage Program?

All permanent full-time, part-time, and provisional City employees are eligible to participate in the new free KeyAdvantage Program*, with some exceptions. The following employee categories are not eligible: 

• Temporary employees who do not earn paid sick leave 
• Uniformed Police Officers 
• Employees aged 65 and over: these individuals are eligible to receive a free SEPTA Senior Fare Card directly through SEPTA. You can find more information on how to register for a Senior Fare Card here.
• Employees of City contractors. 

*Represented employees are eligible for the benefit, subject to agreements with their labor unions.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible for this benefit, please reach out to your departmental HR Manager or email [email protected].

Important Tips To Remember

1. Existing commuter benefit participants must cancel their September pass no later than July 5, 2023 

2. To cancel your current pass, contact Health Equity 24/7 at 866-346-5800 or cancel your current pass online no later than the July 5 deadline. 

3. If you are already set up with a Health Equity parking benefit, there is no change. You do not need to take any action. 

4. If you have an existing Key card, you will not need to purchase a new card. More information will be coming on how to obtain a Key card if you do not currently have one. 

What’s Next?

• We will notify City employees once enrollment is open for the new Key Advantage Program.   
• The City is partnering with SEPTA to offer several on-site and virtual information and enrollment sessions to help employees get enrolled in this new benefit.  Please stay tuned for more information on the dates and times of these sessions during the months of July and August.  We will have Key cards available at the on-site sessions for any employee who does not currently have a Key card.

SEPTA Southwest Connection Improvement Program (SCIP) Summer Project Starts July 22

SEPTA's SCIP will require major service adjustments that will impact Regional Rail service, including the Airport Line. The work is scheduled to take place from Saturday, July 22 - Saturday, August 26. 

During the week, the Airport Line will operate hourly. The Airport Line will be replaced with shuttle buses on the following weekends:

• July 22-23, 29-30
• August 5-6, 12-13,19-20, 25

During the SCIP, there will be no train service at Penn Medicine Station. Connections with other Regional Rail lines will also be impacted.  Please visit https://www5.septa.org/bulletins/southwest-connection-improvement-program-july-22-to-august-26-2023/ for more information and to download schedules.  

ROAM Fitness to Open at PHL

ROAM Fitness is opening soon with great employee rates. 

PHL Food and Shops 

Independence Day 

Celebrate Independence Day with 25% off on orders at OrderatPHL.com, valid 7/3-7/4 only. Code: 4July 

SummerFest  

Check out PHL Food& Shops SummerFest celebration in the B/C Connector on July 13, from 9 AM-1PM. Be sure to use the code SunFun2 to receive 25% off on  OrderatPHL. For more details, about SummerFest, visit https://visit.philamarketplace.com/summerfest/ 

To sign up for employee discounts, text PHLSHOPDINE to 267-550-0996. 

The Latest from PHL's Online Newsroom

At the Airport 

PHL Airport Exhibitions Program 25th Anniversary Artist Profiles: Henry Bermudez 

A contemporary Philadelphia artist born in Venezuela, known for merging myth and symbols in mixed media paintings, installations, and murals, Henry is the co-director of HOUSEGallery1816 in Philadelphia. 

PHL Airport Exhibitions Program 25th Anniversary Artist Profiles: Symone Salib 

Symone Salib – whose murals and other artwork can be seen around Philadelphia – is a first-generation Cuban/Egyptian street artist, muralist, and trauma-informed educator. Her portrait drawings feature bold graphic outlines combined with words for context, which highlight the lives and stories of the people of Philadelphia, especially people of color. 

PHL Airport Exhibitions Program 25th Anniversary Artist Profiles: Kiki Aranita 

Kiki Aranita is a Philadelphia chef, food writer and fiber artist who has been described by restaurant critic Craig LaBan as “a classics scholar-turned-food trucker and chef dedicated to sharing Hawaiian flavors, [who] has long been one of the more fascinating figures in Philly’s food scene.” The COVID-19 pandemic gave Aranita a chance to reinvent herself as a hot sauce entrepreneur and creator of one-of-a-kind yarn re-creations of snacks, sauces, and tins. 

PHL Airport Exhibitions Program 25th Anniversary Artist Profiles: Syd Carpenter   

Professor Emerita of Art at Swarthmore College (1991-2022). The recipient of a Pew Fellowship, Syd’s work is held in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian Institution, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, among other institutions. Her sculptures tell stories of African American culture, U.S. history and courage.   

Celebrating 25 Years of Art at the Airport 

PHL's Exhibitions Program is celebrating 25 years of showcasing the work of artists and organizations from across the Greater Philadelphia Region to the millions of passengers that travel through PHL every year. Thank you to REC Philly for creating videos to highlight what the art program means to airport guests and employees, as well as artists King Saladeen and Amberella.

PHL Press Releases 

DOA and Airlines Agree to New Use and Lease Agreement

The DOA and its airline partners have agreed to a three-year Airport-Airline Use and Lease Agreement for PHL and PNE that includes options for two one-year extensions. The agreement, which was approved by City Council on June 22 and signed by Mayor Jim Kenney on June 28, is effective July 1, 2023, and governs airline use of the City’s facilities at PHL.

Standard & Poors Assigns A+/Stable Rating to Philadelphia International Airport 

Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has assigned an “A+” rating with a stable outlook on PHL's general airport revenue bonds. This is up two notches from the “A-“ rating PHL received in 2021.

City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation Chief Information Officer Allen Mehta has been selected as a 2023 Philadelphia Titan 100. 

City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation CEO Atif Saeed Appointed to AAAE Board 

City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation CEO Atif Saeed has been elected to the Board of Directors of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). The announcement was made at AAAE’s 95th Annual Conference & Exposition, held in Denver June 3-5.   

Capital Development 

International Women in Engineering Day: Making Safety Seen 

On June 23, the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) celebrated the 10th annual International Women in Engineering Day (INWED). 

Operations & Security 

Biometrics: Pioneering Secure and Efficient Travel at PHL 

At Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), the future of secure and efficient travel is already here, thanks to the successful implementation of a state-of-the-art biometric screening technology at 25 gates across Terminal A. As one of the first airports in the United States to adopt this technology mandated by U.S. 

All You Need to Know About Ground Stops 

Have you ever wondered why you’re ready for take-off and your aircraft isn't leaving? The plane is ready for departure, the weather is nice, other planes are leaving, but your flight is delayed. It’s most likely due to a ground stop (GS).   

In The Community 

Department of Aviation and COMTO Philadelphia Celebrate Scholarship Recipients 

On June 2, the City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation and the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Philadelphia leaders celebrated the next generation of leaders furthering their education for entry and advancement within the transportation industry. The COMTO Philadelphia Scholarship Awards Program recognizes student honorees and their educational achievements.   

People at PHL

PHL Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: American Airlines Administration Manager on Duty Lita Humphrey

Lita Humphrey was recently recognized in the “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work” category of PHL's Employee Recognition Program. This distinction acknowledges employees who create a positive guest experience through service and delivery while collaborating with other organizations.      

PHL Caring Support: Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Transportation Security Officer (TSO) Hector Cintron-Rivera 

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Transportation Security Officer (TSO) Hector Cintron-Rivera recently received the “Caring Support” award in PHL's Employee Recognition Program. This award recognizes employees who provide exceptional care and services to seniors, families with young children, disabled passengers, and others with special needs.  

PHL Caring Support: Parkway Corporation Ground Transportation Assistant Manager Cherise Wall 

Parkway Corporation Ground Transportation Assistant Manager Cherise Wall recently received the “Caring Support” award in PHL's Airport Employee Recognition Program. This award recognizes employees who provide exceptional care and services to seniors, families with young children, disabled passengers, and others with special needs.