Philadelphia airport’s $500 million upgrade means more bathrooms, new terminal exits, and more

Philadelphia is expected to receive an influx of visitors this year, and one of the first places many travelers see — the Philadelphia International Airport — is getting a $500 million upgrade for the occasion.

Those funds, which have been used to advance several projects at the airport, are part of a $935 million capital improvement agreement between the city’s Department of Aviation and the airlines that service PHL. The improvements are funded through airline and tenant fees as well as federal and state grants.

The Department of Aviation, which manages PHL and the Northeast Philadelphia Airport, operates without local tax dollars.

When the airlines and the department agreed to the improvement plan in 2023, PHL’s former CEO, Atif Saeed, said, “Our airline partners are making a significant investment in our facilities and our guest experience.”

Projects meant to prepare the airport for this year’s tourism spike kicked off in 2023, PHL spokesperson Christine Ottow said this week.

Here’s a look at PHL’s makeover plans, and what will be ready this year.

Travelers are expected to pour in this year for the FIFA World Cup soccer games, the baseball All-Star Game, and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, among other events.

To be ready for them, PHL’s $500 million investment includes new landscaping, new paint, tiles, and carpeting in terminals, and bathroom renovations that allow for more stalls. Eight new restrooms are expected to open in May, according to Ottow.

The airport is adding new terminal exit lanes with modern glass corridors and doors, the first of which opened in August in Terminal D.

“This project is one of the major upgrades we’re implementing as we prepare for the 2026 events,” Api Appulingam, PHL’s chief development officer, said in a statement in September. “As part of our $500 million capital program, these high-tech doors will create a smoother, more welcoming experience for our guests as they exit the terminals and begin their Philadelphia journey.”

Last year, as PHL turned 85 years old, it once again landed at the bottom of a national survey in traveler satisfaction by J.D. Power. Saeed, PHL’s then-CEO, noted “admittedly in some places, we look our age.”

One issue is the airport’s small holding areas, where travelers wait to board airplanes, Michael Taylor of J.D. Power told The Inquirer last year. They are not designed for the number of passengers getting on planes these days, which has increased compared to 40 or 50 years ago, Taylor said.

Over 30.1 million passengers traveled through the airport last year — a 2.5% decrease from the previous year. Despite the slight slump, the number of international travelers increased by 7.5% and is expected to continue climbing this year.

“With nonstop service to Prague and Budapest this spring, along with the FIFA World Cup, America’s 250th birthday, and other showcase events and activities, we anticipate our international volume to grow even more this year,” Kate Sullivan, chief commercial officer for the department of aviation said in a statement.

Amid this much-anticipated tourism year, the Department of Aviation is also now without a permanent CEO. Saeed, who had held the position since 2022, announced he was stepping down in February to take a job leading the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. Tracy Borda, PHL’s chief financial officer, stepped in as interim CEO.

Beyond the airport, Philadelphia is advancing several initiatives in preparation for the 250th. The city plans to spend $70 million for safety services including police, fire, and emergency management; $45 million toward special events of partner organizers; and $4.6 million to support beautification initiatives and Mural Arts projects, according to a recent controller’s report.