Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) this week noted that its essential and successful role in Operation Allies Welcome officially ended on March 1, after the airport welcomed 29,713 refugees from Afghanistan on 336 flights from August 28, 2021 through February 2022.
“PHL serves as a global gateway and our mission is ‘proudly connecting Philadelphia with the world,'” said City of Philadelphia Division of Aviation CEO Chellie Cameron. “This was never more evident than during Operation Allies Welcome. Working side-by-side with hundreds of representatives from city, state, federal and private agencies, we opened our arms to thousands of evacuees, treating all with dignity and respect.”
Operation Allies Welcome began in late August 2021, with the first flights processed at Dulles International Airport (IAD). From August 28 until mid-September, PHL and IAD received flights with evacuees. After a three-week pause to allow time for public health precautions, PHL was the only airport designated by the federal government to receive evacuee flights when they resumed on October 5.
Throughout Operation Allies Welcome, the U.S. Department of Defense, City of Philadelphia and partner organizations helped coordinate medical evaluations and access to physical and mental health support services; making connections to social services; providing interpreters and posting signage in the evacuees’ native languages; and offering Halal food, a space for prayer, and activities to keep the children occupied.
