Representatives from the City of Philadelphia’s Division of Aviation and elected officials celebrated the construction of Philadelphia International Airport’s (PHL) new Remain Overnight (RON) aircraft parking apron at a groundbreaking on July 14. The apron is located on the northwest corner of PHL’s airfield, next to the FedEx facilities in Cargo City and on the former site of the USPS facility that was demolished in 2018. The $40 million project is expected to be completed in June 2022. 

“This RON project serves two functions for our airport,” said PHL CEO Chellie Cameron. “First, by providing aircraft parking space away from terminal gates, our airline partners can perform their terminal operations more efficiently. Second, as PHL begins its West Cargo Development program, the location of the apron provides quick access to cargo facilities and our runways.” 

PHL received a $2 million Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant for the RON apron. This state grant program is administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational, and historical improvement projects. 

“Thank you to our state elected officials for recognizing the importance of our aircraft parking project and awarding PHL an RACP grant,” said Cameron. “As we work to grow our passenger and cargo operations, having an amenity like this parking apron will make PHL more attractive to current and prospective partners.”  

“I’m very excited to support the airport’s project, which will improve the efficiency of operations at the terminals and set the stage for a big expansion of cargo activities,” said State Senator Tim Kearney (D-Delaware). “Not only will the RON create great jobs for our construction and building trades, but the ensuing cargo activities will create permanent good jobs for people in Delco and Philadelphia.  As an architect, I’m excited by the project’s innovation.”