TAKING OFF with PHL

In the Department of Aviation, we use the acronym P.R.I.D.E. to describe our daily commitment to our customers and our co-workers, as well as our mission to connect Philadelphia to the world. The letters stand for: P-People First R-Respect I- Integrity D-Diversity E- Excellence 2020 was a year unlike any other. We navigated a devastating global pandemic that fundamentally transformed the travel, t...

In the Department of Aviation, we use the acronym P.R.I.D.E. to describe our daily commitment to our customers and our co-workers, as well as our mission to connect Philadelphia to the world. The letters stand for: P-People First R-Respect I- Integrity D-Diversity E- Excellence 2020 was a year unlike any other. We navigated a devastating global pandemic that fundamentally transformed the travel, t...

As legislators in Congress continue to negotiate historic infrastructure legislation to fund investments in transportation networks across America, we brought in Shane Doud, PHL's Director of Government Affairs, to help us better understand the implications for airports - particularly PHL. At the time of this recording, the final bill had not yet been put up for a vote. To learn more about Philade...

Navigating an airport can be overwhelming, but a friendly face can put travelers at ease. For the past 20 years, members of the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) volunteer program have welcomed and assisted millions of guests who have passed through the airport’s terminals. And it’s only getting better! Joining Chellie in this episode to talk more about the recently expanded PHL Volunteer N...

Maintaining consistent engagement and communication with communities surrounding our airport is a priority for the City of Philadelphia - Division of Aviation. We are proactively working to build relationships with external stakeholders to build trust with residents and businesses in the surrounding community. Keesha Lane, PHL & PNE’s Assistant Director of Community Engagement and Outreach, joins...

As recovery plans are well underway at PHL, this episode provides a glimpse into how we have pivoted during COVID. With a reduction in passenger service caused by COVID-19, PHL has been exploring additional sources of revenue generation, including increasing air cargo operations. Securing a larger share of east coast air cargo activity has been a part of PHL’s masterplan for several years. The COV...

In this special episode of Taking Off with Chellie Cameron, Chellie speaks with Jonathan Todd, PHL’s Director of Workforce Development. This episode is focused on diversity, equity and inclusion – specifically, how the Airport strives to create an environment that supports and encourages diversity in the workplace and in our public spaces.  To learn more please visit phl.org  or email racialequity...

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the travel, tourism and aviation industries has been devastating. As recovery efforts take off, we want to give you an inside peek at the work PHL is doing to get back on track and to keep customers, stakeholders, and Division of Aviation employees safe. In a break from our normal podcast format during these unprecedented times, in this episode, PHL'sDirector...

The airport experience has changed significantly in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Travelers will encounter this new airport experience from the moment they enter PHL, up until the time they arrive at their next destination. Understanding passenger’s rapidly changing behavior and expectations has been a crucial factor in the development of the steps we have taken, and will continue to take, to m...

During COVID, PHL has remained open. Even though air travel had all but stopped, our essential Team PHL employees have been working around the clock maintaining and the cleaning the facility so that it’s ready when guests and fellow co-workers return to the airport.  Joining Chellie Cameron, CEO of the Philadelphia Division of Aviation, to talk about all that’s been happening behind the scenes, is...

During COVID, PHL has prioritized ensuring both guests as well as employees feel safe in the airport. An entire team is dedicated to the safety of our Division of Aviation employees who are coming back to work to serve our customers. Joining Chellie Cameron, CEO of the Philadelphia Division of Aviation, is Sheila Trueheart, Deputy Director of Administrative Operations, to talk about all the new pr...

The Grab platform was introduced at Philadelphia International Airport in 2019 as a convenience tool for travelers and employees to order food at the airport while on-the-go. In the COVID-19 world, Grab is helping to promote physical distancing and safety by allowing customers to avoid queuing in crowded lines and limiting high-touch interactions for restaurant staff and guests. In this episode, C...

When it is safe to travel again, the airport experience will look very different for passengers. COVID-19 is creating a new normal at PHL with safety measures such as safety shields, masks, and decals indicating where to queue throughout the airport. In this episode of the “Runway to Recovery” series, Leah Douglas, PHL’s Director of Guest Experience joins Chellie Cameron, CEO of the Philadelphia D...

Welcome to this special series, Runway to Recovery. This series focuses on what is happening at Philadelphia International Airport during COVID, and all that is going on behind the scenes as we prepare to welcome back our customers. In this series, Chellie Cameron, CEO of the Philadelphia Division of Aviation, introduces you to all the amazing people working so hard during this time. Given the red...

PHL is in the midst of a $2.4 billion capital development program to make critical improvements and develop new infrastructure at both PHL and PNE. These airfield and terminal projects, which began in 2012, will improve the customer experience, lay the groundwork for future development and help to capitalize on the role that the Airport plays as a regional economic engine. Joining Chellie in this...

Trying to stay on top of your New Year's resolutions? Fortunately, it’s never been easier to stick to your goals while traveling through Philadelphia International Airport. In this episode, Chellie talks to Kate Sullivan, PHL Director of Marketing & Branding, along with Megan O'Connell, MarketPlace PHL Marketing Manager, who are responsible for bringing new wellness and healthy eating options to P...

When traveling through an airport, passengers are mainly focused on catching a connecting flight or departing and arriving on schedule. What they often don't think about are the many people and departments working behind the scenes to connect the moving pieces that make an airport run smoothly. Joining Chellie in this episode is Soledad Alfaro, PHL’s Chief Administrative Officer, who oversees ever...

ICYMI, “Taking Off with Chellie Cameron” was live at the B.PHL festival in October 2019. In this special edition episode, Chellie was joined by Yassmin Gramian, executive deputy secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), to discuss how transportation innovation is helping to shape the Philadelphia region. To find out more about B.PHL, please visit  BPHLfest.com . To lear...

In this episode, Chellie is joined by Bill Hunt, CEO of Leonardo Helicopters Division, a neighbor of the Northeast Philadelphia Airport. An Industrial Center of Excellence, Philadelphia represents the Helicopter Division’s primary production, sales, customer support, and training presence in the United States. In March 2019, Leonardo announced a $65 million plan to build a 60,000-square-foot train...

PHL and PNE are world-class airports, thanks in large part to our exceptional team. To honor those employees who go above and beyond, we are launching a new podcast series, Exceptional Employees. These episodes will feature Division of Aviation employees who have received peer recognition for their leadership, performance, customer-service focus and innovative approach to work.   Joining Chellie i...

Given the size and scope of a major airport like PHL, there are substantial and diverse opportunities for businesses of all sizes. In this episode, Chellie talks to Kathleen Padilla, PHL Deputy Director of Diversity & Inclusion, along with Deatrice Isaac, Deputy of PHL Procurement, about the upcoming 2019  Business Opportunity Forum (BOF) . The (BOF) is an annual forum held in conjunction with the...

A newfound emphasis on local, unique experiences is changing the way travelers choose their vacation and leisure destinations. Travelers seeking adventure are searching for authentic, distinctive experiences -- and airlines have answered the demand by increasing their non-stop flights to these boutique destinations. Passengers are not only interested in their experience within the origination airp...

Joining Chellie in this episode is the 2017 recipient of the Leadership Award, Christopher Perry, PHL Airport Operations Officer. Chris took the lead on the PHL 5K Run on the Runway last August. He showed outstanding leadership skills in coordinating this event. Chris was even working the overnight shift at the time and spent many additional hours of his free time at work to attend meetings relate...

In this episode, Chellie takes you inside the Northeast Philadelphia Airport – which goes by airport code PNE – with John Brewer, who serves as operations manager. PNE, the sixth busiest airport in Pennsylvania, provides "on call" U.S. Customs, Immigrations and U.S. Department of Agriculture services to corporate domestic and international passengers. John oversees airport administration, security...

PHL and PNE are world-class airports, thanks in large part to our exceptional team. To honor those employees who go above and beyond, we are launching a new podcast series, “Exceptional Employees.” These episodes will feature Division of Aviation employees who have been recognized by their peers for their leadership, performance, customer-service focus and innovative approach to their work. In the...