PHL International Airport gets $20.4 million grant through bipartisan infrastructure bill

Mayor Cherelle Parker joined U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon at the Philadelphia International Airport Friday morning to announce $20.4 million in federal infrastructure funding coming to the upgrade terminal facilities. 

Speaking to Casey during her opening remarks, Parker said she enjoys every time the senior senator is in town because “you bring a check, too.” 

“We have now received a total of $347 million in federal investment since the start of 2021,” Parker said, noting that federal funding has been doled out to support water and sewage upgrades, workforce development initiatives and more. “This is what tangible results look like for the people of the City of Philadelphia.”

The press conference came one day after the Biden administration announced close to $1 billion in grant funding to 144 airports in 44 states, including airports in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and Lancaster.

In the package of federal grants, Harrisburg International Airport will receive $7.5 million; Pittsburgh International Airport will receive $5.3 million; and Lancaster Airport will receive $2.7 million under the program.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and other administration officials have previously said the grants would fund projects to improve the passenger experience and create jobs. The $20.4 million coming to Philadelphia will be used to fund operational improvements in HVAC and electrical efficiency. 

The latest federal grant – the second round of federal infrastructure dollars to be distributed to the airport to benefit the Terminal Energy Optimization Program – will be used to upgrade mechanical units from terminal rooftops to baggage claim. 

Atif Saeed, CEO of the City of Philadelphia Department of Aviation, noted the Philadelphia International Airport’s role in serving not only the city but the entire region.

“It’s also a move that will bolster the primary economic engines of our region by enhancing the efficiency and reliability of these unseen operational systems…(and providing) a world-class experience for shoppers,” Saeed said. “We are in the countdown for 2026, when Philadelphia will be the gateway for millions of visitors coming to our city for several major events, including the World Cup, America’s 250th birthday celebration and the Major League Baseball All-Star game.”

Parker added that the influx of federal and state funds allows the city to better utilize its budget to address other priorities. 

“Philadelphia has to make what investments we can, but when we have skin in the game, we strongly encourage others to do the same,” Parker told City & State. “We have very limited revenue-generating capacity in the City of Philadelphia – I want to be extremely forthright with everyone. We need to grow our tax base here in the City of Philadelphia; we have some challenges that we need to address – and we need all hands on deck.”