September 2025
90 Years at PHX: 2000s
As part of our year-long 90th anniversary celebration, we’re looking back at the previous decades in our history.
The 2000s were a time of change. According to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the population of greater Phoenix grew by 29% from 2000 to 2010. This decade experienced many significant events including major economic swings.
At Phoenix Sky Harbor, there were several milestones in 2000. A new cargo facility opened on the south side of the airport. In October, a new south runway, the airport’s third opened.
In an effort to provide additional service and assistance to travelers, a volunteer program was started. This program introduced airport visitors to the Navigators – friendly volunteers who would become known for their purple jackets and helpful attitudes. These volunteers were former airline personnel, medical professionals, educators and more. All share a common bond of their love of the airport and desire to help others. And in December, Automated External Defibrators (AEDs) were placed in the terminals. In January 2001, the first life was saved at the airport using an AED.
Unfortunately, the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, would shake the world and result in worldwide aviation changes, including new security measures.
The airport continued its operations and worked to get travelers where they needed to go while providing great service. On Feb. 19, 2004, an official dedication was held for the opening of a new pedestrian walkway for international passengers arriving at the airport. This increased convenience for travelers; prior to that, passengers arriving from international destinations had to recheck baggage containing security sensitive items and reclaim them a second time at the domestic baggage claim area. The enclosed 500 foot-long, window-lined walkway highlighted Arizona elements such as original artwork and views of Arizona’s famous desert plants outside.
On March 7, 2005, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon and Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly tore down the final construction wall of the new $50 million seventh concourse in Terminal 4 known as the D Concourse. With growing passenger demands, PHX needed to expand its gate capacity. The concourse featured large windows to take advantage of Arizona’s natural lighting and a panoramic view of the airfield. A variety of new concessionaires were also added. By September 2005, the airport saw the merger of US Airways and America West Airlines.
In January 2006, the airport added a new convenience for rental car customers with the opening of a consolidated Rental Car Center. The new center housed all of the airport’s rental car counters at one location meaning customers no longer had to look for individual rental car buses at the terminal curbs. Instead, designated buses transported customers between the terminals and Rental Car Center saving them time, reducing confusion at the curbs, and easing congestion on the roadways.
In December 2006, the airport also opened a Military & Veterans Hospitality Room in Terminal 2. This was a place for members of the military, veterans and their families to relax and enjoy a quiet place before, after or between flights.
Throughout 2006 and 2007, Phoenix Sky Harbor completed the Terminal 4 remodel offering 40 new shops and restaurants. This included retail like Arizona Highways, Borders Books, and In Celebration of Golf as well as restaurants like Chili’s and El Bravo Mexican Food.
Remodeling wasn’t just happening in Terminal 4. Terminal 2 also saw some remodeling in its lobby area in 2007. Additionally, in 2007, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) opened a new state-of-the-art 326-foot-tall Air Traffic Control Tower. The addition made for a new landmark for the city and a recognizable part of Phoenix’s skyline. Additionally, the new facility also collocated the tower and Terminal Radar Approach Control, or TRACON. For a short time in 2007, the airport could be seen with two air traffic control towers before the older tower was later demolished at Terminal 3.
Phoenix Sky Harbor continued to look to the future and ways that it could even more efficiently operate. In 2009, checkpoint expansions were completed in Terminal 4 and the airport broke ground on the new PHX Sky Train®, an automated train system connecting to the city’s light rail station. The driverless train would eventually become a major customer convenience for travelers between terminals, parking facilities and the Rental Car Center.
Captions: (Top) The volunteer Navigator Program begins; (Middle) A new concourse opens at Terminal 4; (Bottom) Terminal 4 underwent retail and dining enhancements.
Join us next month as we explore the developments that took place in the 2010s and how it set the stage for future growth at America’s Friendliest Airport®. For more information on our 90th anniversary, visit https://www.skyharbor.com/90years