July 2025
Navigator Program Approaching 25th Anniversary
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is getting ready to celebrate a big anniversary: 25 years of the Phoenix Sky Harbor Navigator program!
This program of purple-clad volunteers who offer assistance to passengers has been in existence since November 2000. Over these past 25 years, the program has grown to more than 1,600 airport volunteers who have collectively donated more than 1.6 million hours. This past year, more than 400 Navigator volunteers collectively contributed more than 70,000 hours of service.
These spirited volunteers not only assist passengers with information about the airport, like where to find the Compassion Corner or how to look up a flight on a terminal display, but they have also held a canned food drive for a local food bank to help others in the community.
Many volunteers are retired and chose the Navigator program to stay active, but their legacy is spreading to a younger generation, with the fledging Teen Navigator program, when high school-age students spend six weeks alongside a Navigator learning about the airport.
One of the most popular attractions at PHX is the Navigator Buddy program. This cadre of certified therapy dogs has proven to be invaluable in helping travelers release some stress or just offer a paw to those seeking comfort. Navigator Chaplains also volunteer their services for guests and employees who seek spiritual care.
To recognize this milestone, look for profiles of volunteers in this newsletter on skyharbor.com, and please join us in giving thanks to each of our Navigator volunteers for their dedication. They put the friendly in America’s Friendliest Airport® and we are grateful.
