A newly created expansion at the end of Philadelphia International’s (PHL) Terminal E opened to the traveling public Feb. 16.
The expansion to the concourse, which houses Southwest Airlines and Air Tran Airways, offers seven new aircraft gates, seating for 500 people, new bathrooms, a mini-food court with three new concessions, natural lighting and new artwork.
“The city is continually working to provide a world-class airport that exceeds the expectations of today’s flying public, and this magnificent terminal expansion helps us achieve that goal,” says Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “This addition is the latest in a number of user-friendly facilities that we’ve recently introduced, including the Terminal D/E Connector that opened late in 2008 and the cell phone waiting lot that opened this past December.”
Southwest Airlines, one of the busiest carriers at PHL, will occupy the new gates in the Terminal E expansion. By the end of March, the airline is slated to consolidate its operations in Terminal E; it currently occupies four gates in Terminal D, as well as five additional gates in Terminal E.
“Traffic in this area of the airport has grown considerably since Southwest … arrived in 2004,” says Mark Gale, Chief Executive Officer of the airport. “We salute Southwest for its partnership with the airport that made this expansion a reality. We are constantly striving to make Philadelphia International Airport a facility that welcomes travelers and delivers premier amenities and provides a pleasant traveling experience overall. The new look in Terminal E is reflective of that initiative.”
In addition to the new gates and the expanded seating area, there is a mini-food court with two new concessions: McDonald’s, which also has a location in Terminal A-West, and airport newcomer Cantina Laredo, a sit-down restaurant featuring Mexican cuisine. McDonald’s and Cantina Laredo join existing food and beverage concessions Philadelphia’s Famous Chickie’s and Pete’s, Bassett’s Turkey & Salad, Maki of Japan, Cibo Market Express, Guava & Java, and Yummy Pretzels. Joining retailers are Pennsylvania Market, Sports Collectibles and CNBC News Philadelphia is Stellar News, which has a location in Terminal D, and is opening another in Terminal E.
The new expansion is also home to the airport’s newest permanent artwork, “Cloudsphere,” by Philadelphia artist Mei-ling Hom. The work was selected from a national call to artists by the city’s Percent for Art program.
The new $45M Terminal E expansion is another completed phase of the $300M Terminal D/E Renovation and Expansion project. The first major component, the Terminal D/E Connector, opened in December 2008 featuring a new 14-lane security checkpoint equipped with state-of-the-art screening technology and 10 new food, beverage and retail shops.
