announced its Lisbon and Barcelona service will be available year-round. We are also looking forward to Southwest bringing back service to Houston and Dallas in September.   

This summer will also mark two important milestones at PHL. The PHL Airport Art Exhibition Program and MarketPlace PHL are both celebrating their 25^th anniversaries. Since being introduced at the airport in 1998, our art program and the concessions program have enhanced the guest experience for our passengers as they travel through PHL.  

The Art Exhibition Program has been led by Director of Guest Experience Leah Douglas from the beginning. Leah has done an exceptional job of selecting artists and art institutions from across Greater Philadelphia and giving our visitors a taste of the region’s renowned art scene. The exhibits have been entertaining and socially relevant, brightened the terminals, given our guests a way to pass their time at PHL and provided many artists with an incredible platform in which to showcase their work. Thank you, Leah, for your vision and commitment to making PHL’s art program the best in our industry.  

MarketPlace PHL, operated by LeJeune and Associates, LLC, was also a game changer for PHL, providing our guests with access to upscale retail outlets, favorite local eateries and shops to pick up travel necessities throughout all terminals. The concessions program has always been forward-thinking. For example, electronic and online ordering capabilities were introduced at PHL Food & Shops before the pandemic made these commonplace. This summer, Roam Fitness will open in Terminal F, giving passengers and employees a place to workout. Clarence LeJeune and Mel Hannah are wonderful partners for PHL and an example for the aviation industry through their commitment to exceeding the required Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) goals. 

From the special events to increased passenger volume, we can use this summer as a dry run for showing off our customer service skills. We are less than a year away from Wrestlemania and three years from all of the activities of  2026. Let's show our guests what we can do.  

-Atif 

HR Updates

COVID-19 Resources:

Updated COVID-19 protocols and employee screening policy for City employees  

Support your work safety by emailing [email protected]  to receive two COVID-19 tests from HR/Safety.

 

Reminder: Financial Disclosure Deadline is TODAY, May 1, 2023! 

Good news — you can complete the State form at financial-disclosure.phila.gov! Do not file using the State's website. Need login help? Email [email protected].  The online system will provide instructions as you complete each section. See the State's long form instructions and preview the State form here. 

City Resource Group Meetings 

• 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 (CRGs), contact Brenna Schmidt at [email protected]. 

Young Professionals (YoPro) Airport Empowerment Group (AEG) 

The Department of Aviation’s YoPro AEG strives to bridge the gap between current and future aviation leaders by providing opportunities for career and professional development, mentorships, and networking for the next generation of airport professionals.   

In April, the YoPro group had a walk and lunch in the terminals to Good Luck Pizza and a Happy Hour at LMNO.   

Virtual meetings will be held the last Tuesday of every month from noon – 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. 

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

= Provided by HR Training & Development

New Financial Monthly Challenge Alert!   

Starting last month, PHL WELL kicked off its monthly financial challenge initiative with savings focused goals in mind. A Money Madness Challenge will  be announced during the third week of each month for the duration of 2023 with Money Mindset check-ins for all participants on each Friday within each challenge week. Look out for monthly updates for each monthly challenge via PHL WELLness tips. Calendar invites will include details and participation instructions.

Financial Monthly Challenge Goals: These daily challenges will help us to redefine how we think about our money and influences how we save, spend, and manage our debt. 

No registration is required! The Financial Monthly Challenge is open to all employees!

 

Biggest Loser Challenge Update 

PHL WELL would like to send a special shout out and congrats to the 2023 DOA Biggest Loser Challengers for completing the 90-Day Challenge this past month.  

Final weigh-outs were held on April 25, and the results were amazing! We’re proud of the participants for staying focused and dedicated to achieving their personal weight loss goals throughout the challenge. The first, second and third place winners will be announced during the “Biggest Loser Salad Celebration” ceremony May 3.

Stay tuned to find out the winners and “the deets” on how they won their challenge weeks! 

NEW & COMING SOON

PHL WELL will host Brown Bag workshops throughout the 2023 PHL Workshop/Event Calendar.  

Workshops are open to all employees and no registration required. Simply accept the DOA calendar invite when you receive it and you're all set!

Penn Medicine | Mental Health Series

Staff Promotions

Congratulations to the following staff members who were promoted in April:

Kimberly White, Clerk 3

Lin To, Airport Communications Services Supervisor

Linda Buck, Human Resources Professional 1

Maryna Liaukovich, Public Relations Specialist 1

Sterling Howard, Semiskilled Laborer

Leantonio Kenan, Semiskilled Laborer

Tyese Smalley,  Custodial Worker 2

New Hires

Welcome to our newest staff members:

Adriana Palombit, Marketing Strategist

Calvin O’Neal, Marketing Strategist

Collin Wilkinson, Engineering Intern

Don Tai, Engineering Intern

Franco Cima, Engineering Intern

Kankoue Folly, Engineering Intern

Nicholas Moore, Engineering Intern

Tamika Tukes, Engineering Intern

PHL Food and Shops

Mother’s Day Special: 

To celebrate Mother’s Day, PHL Food & Shops is organizing a pop-up flower shop May 12 – 14, with arrangements from Lily Palmer. Selections include:

• Momma Mia: $20 - $25 (garden-style petite) 
• You are My Sunshine: $40 (sunflower bouquet) 
• Hearts & Roses: $55 (roses and lily bouquet) 
• Forever Love: $75 (garden-style large) 

For PHL Food & Shops updates and to sign up for special employee discounts, text PHLSHOPDINE to 267-550-0996

The Latest from PHL's Online Newsroom

At the Airport 

Emergency Preparedness at PHL 

At PHL, the safety of passengers, guests and team members is of the foremost concern. Guests and staff can expect to feel safe, including through unanticipated health issues, because of the airport's safety and security measures. At PHL, our staff is prepared to mitigate medical emergencies by responding quickly to crises until the airport Fire/Rescue unit arrives. 

Bringing Nature Inside PHL 

Plants in the interior of PHL are not just decorative elements, but also a natural way to purify air in the passenger terminals. 

PHL Food & Shops

PHL Merchants Celebrate 100,000 Pounds  of Food Donated to Philabundance

A collaboration between the hunger relief nonprofit Philabundance and PHL Food & Shops has recently reached a milestone in donating more than 100,000 pounds of soon-to-expire food from airport concessions to PHL's neighbors in need. In total, the joint effort between Philabundance and PHL merchants has resulted in 108,825 pounds of food and approximately 141,500 meals donated, as of March 2023. 

Capital Development 

PHL Restroom Renovation Program Receives March of Dimes Mission Award 

PHL's Restroom Renovation Program has been awarded the 2023 March of Dimes Mission Award for its intentionally inclusive design towards traveling mothers. 

Airlines 

Now Departing from PHL: American Airlines’ Year-Round Service to Lisbon and Barcelona

Passengers thinking of a European getaway after the summer vacation rush have two more options from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). American Airlines has extended its seasonal nonstop service to Lisbon and Barcelona to year-round. 

In The Community 

Department of Aviation Staff Volunteer with the Community 

In celebration of National Volunteer Week (April 16-22), the Department of Aviation is highlighting the volunteer and outreach work that the airport does in local schools and youth organizations. The airports are committed to engaging with students to expose them to a variety of career paths and inspire an interest in aviation! 

Sustainability 

PHL Airport Celebrates Earth Day 

The Department of Aviation held its 11th annual Earth Day Celebration on April 20 in the B/C terminal event space. 

Sustainability Team Holds Pre-Earth Day Cleanup

The Department of Aviation celebrated Earth Day early on April 12 with a cleanup of the Delaware River waterfront next to Philadelphia Fire Department Engine 78's boat ramp organized by the airports' Sustainability team. 

People at PHL 

Api Appulingam, P.E., A.A.E., Earns Professional Airport Accreditation 

Api Appulingam, P.E., A.A.E., the DOA's Deputy Director of Aviation- Capital Development, has been awarded the distinction of Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE).      

PHL Volunteers Touch-down 

PHL’s Volunteer Navigators Program has more than 80 volunteers, including flight attendants that give their time when touch down at the airport. 

Police Captain Samantha Brown Assigned to Direct PPD’s Airport Unit 

Meet Captain Samantha Brown, the newly appointed captain of the Philadelphia Police Department's (PPD) Airport Unit. 

Women in Aviation at PHL - Financial and Business Diversity Leaders 

In continuation of Women’s History Month, the DOA celebrates women in aviation who make a difference every day, like Deputy Chief Financial Officer Cassandra Williams and Deputy Director of Aviation for Business Diversity and Accessibility Denise Bailey.

PHL Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Marketplace PHL Concourse Supervisor Eric McMillan 

MarketPlace PHL Concourse Supervisor Eric McMillan 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 Impression Makers: Paradies Lagardére Assistant General Manager Angela DeMarco 

Paradies Lagardére’s Assistant General Manager, Angela DeMarco recently received the “Impression Makers” award from PHL's Employee Recognition Program. This award recognizes customer-facing employees who provide direct customer service to passengers.    

PHL Impression Makers: Philly Pretzel Factory General Manager Jason Nguyen 

Philly Pretzel Factory General Manager Jason Nguyen recently received the “Impression Makers” award from PHL's Employee Recognition Program. This award recognizes customer-facing employees who provide direct customer service to passengers.        

PHL Impression Makers: Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) Shift Coordinator Catherine “Cathy” O’Connell 

Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) Shift Coordinator Catherine “Cathy” O’Connell recently received the “Impression Makers” award from PHL's Employee Recognition Program. This award recognizes customer-facing employees who provide direct customer service to passengers.