## Overview Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), often branded as “America’s Friendliest Airport,” is Arizona’s largest and busiest airport, serving as the primary gateway to the Greater Phoenix metropolitan area and a vital hub for both domestic and international travel[1][3]. Located just three miles east of downtown Phoenix, the airport is owned and operated by the City of Phoenix and also functions as a joint civil-military facility, hosting the 161st Air Refueling Wing of the Arizona Air National Guard[1]. In 2024, PHX ranked as the 11th-busiest airport in the United States and 35th-busiest globally by passenger boardings[1]. ## History Sky Harbor’s origins date back to the 1920s, but its emergence as a major passenger airport began in 1952 with the opening of Terminal 1[4]. The facility underwent significant expansion in the late 20th century, most notably with the construction of Terminal 4—a $248 million project completed in 1990 that was, at the time, the largest capital improvement in Phoenix history[4]. The airport has continually expanded to accommodate growing passenger numbers and airline needs, including the addition of new concourses and the integration of advanced security technologies, such as the early adoption of backscatter X-ray machines in 2007[1][4]. ## Operations and Achievements PHX operates two main terminals (Terminals 3 and 4), handling over 1,200 daily flights to more than 120 destinations, with about 500 nonstop routes[2][3]. It serves as a hub for American Airlines and a base for Frontier and Southwest Airlines[1]. The airport is renowned for its efficiency, convenience, and passenger amenities, offering more than 100 restaurants and shops, free Wi-Fi, and one of the largest airport museums in the country[6][7]. The PHX Sky Train