Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) has opened a new eighth concourse at Terminal 4, the airport’s busiest terminal.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, Phoenix City Council, and Southwest Airlines attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to debut the new concourse, which will provide an additional eight gates for Southwest Airlines.
The 310 million USD project includes a new transfer bridge connecting the south and north concourses, allowing travellers to easily connect between gates. A new baggage handling system has also been installed, featuring 1.5 miles of conveyor belts through four underground tunnels.
Bob Jordan, CEO, Southwest Airlines said:This is our next era in Phoenix, with new gates that bring a greatly improved experience for our Customers and Employees, and gives Southwest room to grow at Sky Harbor. Our four-decade partnership with Phoenix continues evolving with larger spaces in the terminal, expanded Maintenance Hangar facility, and strengthening partnerships with local organisations that share our focus on driving economic, environmental, and social impact in Phoenix and across the state.
The new 275,000 square foot facility features a variety of customer amenities, including charging stations for every seat, an animal relief area, a family restroom, a nursing room, and hearing loop connectivity to enable those with hearing devices to connect to the PA system.
Furthermore, passengers using the new concourse can benefit from spectacular views of the Phoenix landscape, including the South Mountain Park. Meanwhile, the Diamondhead Baffle ceiling has been designed to mimic the desert sand dunes, using materials made from recycled water bottles.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said:Phoenix Sky Harbor delivers a $38 billion annual economic impact, and the new concourse is filled with innovations and experiences that travellers will enjoy and remember. The design of the concourse emphasises technology, sustainability, and accessibility. Phoenix is showcasing its future-forward progress in a way that matches its status as one of the world’s busiest airports for passenger traffic.
The new facility features a number of sustainable elements, including 14,000 square feet of electrochromic glazing, which uses artificial intelligence to adjust its level of tinting depending on the amount sunlight. This system improves energy efficiency and promotes passenger comfort.
The concourse is now open to the public and welcomed its first arriving and departing Southwest Airlines flights on Monday 20 June.
