Ambitious Plans to Support Its $500 Million Dollar Economic Impact

John Brewer oversees infrastructure overhauls, sustainability goals, and surging flight training demand at Pennsylvania’s third busiest airport.

Northeast Philadelphia Airport is undergoing its most ambitious infrastructure transformation in decades, with multiple construction projects reshaping the facility that generates nearly $500 million in annual economic impact for the region. Airport Manager John Brewer oversees a complex web of simultaneous improvements designed to modernize the 1,150-acre general aviation hub that ranks as Pennsylvania’s third busiest airport.

“We have what we call Lima Package three, which is the final package of rehabilitating taxiway Lima,” Brewer explains. “Once we get done with Lima package three, that parallel for runway 6-24 will be a 50-foot-wide taxiway with 20-foot shoulders. We haven’t had shoulders on our taxiways. Now we’re actually getting shoulders on them, so we’ll have lights and signs on the pavement.”

The infrastructure push includes comprehensive security upgrades. The airport is replacing approximately 65% of its security fences while installing new electric gate operators and closed-circuit television systems at access points. Workers are implementing double-gate systems at entry and exit points to prevent unauthorized access breaches. The phased approach allows continuous airport operations while crews install new fencing offset by one foot from existing barriers before removing the old infrastructure.

Sustainability at the Forefront

Environmental responsibility drives every major project at Northeast Philadelphia Airport, where green building practices have evolved from optional considerations to mandatory design elements. The airport’s administrative building renovation represents the most visible example of this shift, targeting LEED Gold certification that would mark a first for the Philadelphia airport system.

“We’re actually going to be using geothermal heating and cooling systems, and we’re going for LEED Gold certification on the building,” Brewer explains. “We’re having a meeting with the four different contractors to discuss everything that we can to try to get the Gold LEED certification, which would be the first building within the Department of Aviation that got that certification. So, we’re a little excited about that.”

The geothermal investment illustrates long-term operational thinking rather than simple environmental messaging. “Lower operating costs means a little expensive on the front end, but save money on the back end,” Brewer notes. The new building will feature seven separate climate zones, eliminating the current single-thermostat system that creates workplace conflicts. “Right now, we have one thermostat and there’s always the thermostat tug of war going on. Basically, each office, each area in the building will be able to have its own thermostat.”

Sustainability initiatives encompass all construction projects. The airport achieved Silver Envision certification on Lima Package 2 last year, supported by a dedicated sustainability manager from Philadelphia International Airport who participates in all design meetings. This systematic integration of environmental standards into airport infrastructure projects aligns with broader industry trends toward carbon reduction and operational efficiency in aviation facilities nationwide.

Preparing for Philadelphia’s Milestone Year

Philadelphia’s upcoming anniversary celebrations and major sporting events position 2026 as a pivotal year for regional aviation, with Northeast Philadelphia Airport preparing for unprecedented traffic demands. The convergence of high-profile occasions creates unique operational challenges for an airport that already handles over 122,000 annual operations.

“Next year is going to be a very busy year in the city of Philadelphia,” Brewer explains. “It’s the 250th anniversary of the country. Philadelphia is the birthplace. So that’s just going to be a huge event going on in and around July 4th next year. The MLB Major League Baseball All-Star game is going to be held in Philadelphia. There’s going to be a PGA event held right outside the city.”

International events will also be featured. “Some of the FIFA World Cup games will be in Philadelphia next year as well,” Brewer notes. The airport experienced a preview during this year’s TRUIST Championship golf tournament. “We have had a really busy week this week with a lot of aircraft flying in and out with the golfers coming in. That TRUIST championship is just outside the city. It’s a very short drive from here.”

Military commemorations will also drive traffic. “This October is the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps and Navy. So, there’s going to be a week-long event with different flyovers and ships in and around Philadelphia. We may get some of the traffic from that, some of the military traffic. We’re hoping to have some of them land here at the airport.” Current airport capacity exceeds demand, positioning the facility well for increased activity without requiring major operational changes.

Training the Next Generation of Aviation Professionals

Northeast Philadelphia Airport is a regional hub for aviation education, with four active flight schools generating significant training activity that contributes to the facility’s status as Pennsylvania’s third busiest airport. The training sector represents a dramatic shift from previous decades when pilot education was less prominent at the facility.

“Those four flight schools stay very busy,” Brewer reports. “Legacy Aviation is so busy to the point where they have an order for 10 new aircraft that they hope to get delivered this year. Each year, these last few years, we just keep going up in terms of operations. Last year we did a little over 122,000 operations. The previous year was just over 114,000. A lot of that is flight schools.”

Aviation maintenance training fills a critical industry gap through the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, which operates programs across eight airport locations nationally. “They have about a 46% graduation rate, which for vocational schools I’m told is quite high. And they have about a 98% placement of those people that do graduate to finish the program,” Brewer explains. “At any one time they have over a hundred people in their program.”

Community outreach covers Philadelphia’s public school system through Tailwinds Academy of Aviation, a nonprofit that works directly with high school students. “They mostly work with the high schools in Philadelphia, the public schools where they can take these kids and by the time they graduate high school, they can have a private pilot license,” Brewer notes. Funding challenges limit program expansion, but the initiative demonstrates aviation industry efforts to diversify career pathways beyond traditional college routes.

Future Runway Projects and Air Traffic Control

Major airfield improvements will reshape Northeast Philadelphia Airport’s operational capacity over the next several years, beginning with a comprehensive runway rehabilitation project that balances construction needs with operational demands. The phased approach shows the careful planning required for airports that cannot afford extended closures. James D. Morrissey will handle the runway project, maintaining contractor continuity across multiple airport improvement initiatives that span several years of coordinated development.

“Next year we’ll also start a project rehabilitating runway 15-33. That’ll be a three-year project,” Brewer explains. “Right now, that runway is 150 feet wide. When we did runway 6-24, it was 150 feet wide. We narrowed it to 100 feet and had 20-foot shoulders. Runway 15-33 as the secondary runway, when that’s done, it’ll be 75 feet wide with 20-foot shoulders.”

Seasonal construction schedules accommodate year-round aviation activity. “The construction season runs from about April through October. We’ll have it closed, and then we’ll open it from October through the winter months and early spring. We’ll have it open for use until construction season begins again. Then we’ll close it again for the second year, and the same for the third year,” Brewer details.

Air traffic control infrastructure is another significant investment currently in development. “The air traffic control tower has not started yet. It’s getting closer. They’re still in design. They’ve come out here and done a lot of the engineering and geotechnical work in place for that. It looks like groundbreaking could happen either late this year or early next year.”

Business Aviation and Economic Development

Charter flight activity drives significant revenue growth at Northeast Philadelphia Airport, where jet fuel sales indicate expanding corporate aviation demand in the regional market. The facility’s role as a general aviation reliever for Philadelphia International Airport positions it strategically for business travelers seeking alternatives to commercial airline schedules.

“We have noticed an uptick in jet A fuel sales, which equates to a lot of charter flying,” Brewer observes. “In today’s world, so many of the users use charter flights where they just drop and leave. They drop the passengers and the plane leaves to go elsewhere to continue making money for the charter companies.”

Leonardo Helicopters anchors the airport’s industrial base as the largest single employer with over 1,000 workers. The Italian aerospace company operates a 320,000-square-foot production facility that manufactures military and civilian helicopters, supported by an $80 million training academy opened in 2021. Recent military contracts, including a $176 million Navy deal and participation in a $2.4 billion Air Force program, have strengthened Leonardo’s long-term presence.

Fixed-base operator services remain concentrated under Atlantic Aviation, which holds an exclusive lease through 2029. “We’re under lease with Atlantic until 2029,” Brewer confirms. Earlier attempts to introduce competition through a second FBO provider fell through, prompting airport management to reconsider their approach. “The new FBO unfortunately did not work out. So now we’re having early discussions again about how we want to put out another RFP for that.”

Development opportunities continue emerging as construction activity increases throughout Northeast Philadelphia, creating demand for executive transportation and specialized aviation services that support regional economic growth.

A Career Built on Aviation Passion

Airport manager Brewer’s 31-year tenure at Northeast Philadelphia Airport signifies both personal dedication and professional evolution within an industry that demands adaptability and long-term vision. His journey from aspiring commercial pilot to airport management illustrates how aviation careers often take unexpected paths while maintaining core connections to flight operations.

“I have my commercial pilot license as well. And I thought that that’s what I was going to do. While I was still in flight training, I got married and had kids and had a couple close incidents while I was flying and decided maybe I should get into the aviation management side instead of the piloting side,” Brewer explains.

Career satisfaction stems from witnessing institutional growth rather than individual achievements. “With me, it’s just the ongoing love of aviation. I’m still just amazed every time I see a plane take off and land and just watching others come through the airport of how they feel the same way,” Brewer reflects. “I’ve seen the growth of this airport in terms of facilities, air traffic, and just with all the projects we have going on.”

Retirement planning reveals continued aviation involvement beyond his current role. “I was always thinking when I retire, we’re going to move down into the mountains in Georgia. I’m always looking at the airports around there thinking how I wouldn’t mind going to the airports and helping out in any way I can. If they have an advisory board, maybe getting on that,” Brewer notes.

Northeast Philadelphia Airport’s transformation under Brewer’s leadership is a story of how strategic infrastructure investment, environmental responsibility, and workforce development create sustainable aviation hubs. The facility’s $500 million economic impact validates long-term planning approaches that balance operational efficiency with community engagement in competitive regional markets.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE)

What: General aviation hub undergoing major infrastructure expansion and sustainability initiatives

Where: Northeast Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Website: www.phl.org/PNE