Northeast Philadelphia Airport

2022.” Even with a slower February due to bad weather, the overall trend remains positive.“They’re more than making up for it right now,” he notes. Law enforcement and medical flights are vital to the airport’s operations. “There’s a lot of medical flights in and out due to the major hospitals in Philadelphia,” Brewer says. “The Philadelphia police are based here, and a couple of federal agencies operate out of this airport.” Brewer emphasizes the need for improved airfield efficiency with the increase in flight school activities. “We’re trying to develop a run-up apron where flight schools can perform run-ups without calling the tower,” he explains.This would streamline operations by allowing planes to call the tower only when ready to taxi to the runway.“The airfield is getting inundated with single-engine planes. It’s not uncommon to see four or five, sometimes six planes waiting to depart, creating delays when mixed with corporate jets.” The airport is actively seeking solutions to enhance traffic flow. “We’ve identified key areas where we could put in taxiways to get traffic on and off runways faster,” Brewer says. This focus on efficiency is driven by the rapid growth in activity. “The growth shot up a lot faster than we anticipated, but it’s a good problem to have.” Economic impact is another area where the airport excels. “In 2022, this airport had a $974 million economic impact on the region,” Brewer highlights. “Almost $1 billion from a general aviation airport is pretty good.” The airport also boasts a substantial employment base.“We have just over 4,000 employees working at the airport, including all tenants and their aviation and non-aviation employees. Leonardo, the helicopter production company, is the largest employer with just over a thousand employees.” EXPANDING OPERATIONS AND ENHANCING SERVICES As Northeast Philadelphia Airport gears up for a monumental year in 2026, plans are underway to address growing demands and enhance operational efficiency. The airport is committed to expanding its services to accommodate increased activity and ensure a safe and efficient environment for all users. 7 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 06 NORTHEAST PHI LADELPHIA AIRPORT