AUGUST 2017 6 | FRONTDOORSMEDIA .COM I spent most of the month of June traveling (#humblebrag). And as a result, I got to do the Pepsi Challenge between seven different airports around the country in a very condensed amount of time. And my friends, I am here today to tell you — we have one of the sweetest airports you’ll find anywhere in the country. Or world, for that matter. In an age where travel has gone from enviable to excruciating, Sky Harbor International Airport is a place that takes the stress out of modern travel and replaces it with a refreshing, enjoyable airport environment. Not only that, but Sky Harbor is about to take it up another notch, thanks to investment in some key expansions and renovations that should take it into the future nicely. “The goal behind everything we do at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is to provide world-class customer service to every person every day,” said Greg Roybal, public information officer for the airport. “We pride ourselves on being ‘America’s Friendliest Airport,’ and in order to maintain that high level of service, we constantly look for improvements that will make Sky Harbor more efficient and more accessible.” This is not something to take for granted. It’s somewhat rare in this day and age to see a significant investment in an airport that’s in the middle of the city. When you think of some of the massive airports that have been the subject of major growth the past couple of decades — O’Hare, Denver, Dallas and Atlanta come to mind — most are located in the suburbs. Sky Harbor’s presence in the middle of town may have its drawbacks, but for the most part, the convenience is a nice feature. SKY HARBOR IS JUST PLANE GREAT — {ahead of the curve} NEXT DOORS Tom Evans | CONTRIBUTING EDITOR AND ABOUT TO BECOME EVEN BETTER

AUGUST 2017 FRONTDOORSMEDIA .COM | 7 And, let’s face it. Airports are massive public buildings with extraordinary traffic, and as such, they wear quickly. They require investment and reinvestment by their very nature and mission. Sky Harbor handles 120,000 passengers per day. That added up to a total of 43 million passengers in 2016. But the most recent amount of investment in Terminal 4 — including the addition of an impressive cadre of locally based restaurants and retailers — has made the three-decade-old terminal one of the best facilities in the country. Along with the dining options, the open concourses, (relatively) efficient security areas and (somewhat) quick baggage service set Terminal 4 apart. Terminal 3 is in the midst of getting the same treatment. It’s already been the subject of improvements to the ticket counters and security checkpoints, as well as a museum gallery. The South Concourse is being completely redone with 15 new gates, and the North Concourse is getting the Terminal 4 food and beverage treatment. Lest you think Terminal 4 is missing out, Sky Harbor’s international facilities are being upgraded to process more passengers and smooth the immigration process. These improvements are critical in achieving the one goal that has eluded the airport’s powers that be over the years — securing a significant number of overseas routes. Another eight-gate concourse is being added to the terminal’s southwest portion. And the retail revamp that started a few years back will continue with a second phase over the next two years that will add another 16 new stores. “Our friends and neighbors in the Valley of the Sun should also know that we are always exploring new air service opportunities, and NEXT DOORS CONTINUED