Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
could break a new annual record by the end of the year, topping its historic performance last year. Statistics suggest the news, as the airport reportedly handled nearly four million passengers
last month.
Traffic numbers so far this year represent an increase of more than eight percent compared to last year, which was the airport’s busiest year ever recorded. With fall break just around the corner, officials are expecting the momentum to continue.
3.9 million passengers last month
According to the Phoenix Business Journal, a total of 3,904,663 travelers passed through PHX in August, which was the most on record. It was a 9% increase from the same period last year, but it broke the record set in August 2019, which was 3.7 million passengers.
The high numbers have been a trend at PHX all year long, pointing to the possibility that the airport could set a new annual record this year. In 2023, the airport handled a total of 48.9 million passengers. So far this year, 34.8 million passengers have been recorded at PHX, which is an increase of 8.5% from the 32 million travelers that had passed through by this time last year.
Should the pace continue, the airport will undoubtedly exceed its record-breaking numbers last year, and create a new record.
Photo: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
According to PHX spokesperson Heather Shelbrack, who spoke to KJZZ Phoenix, the airport is currently preparing for increased demand due to Fall break in a few weeks. Travelers driving to the airport are encouraged to reserve parking in advance on the airport’s website.
“We are expecting our parking facilities to be busy and if you book in advance at skyharbor.com/parking, you’ll be guaranteed that there will be space for you in our parking areas and our parking garages.”
Growing internationally & domestically
Demand over the summer was strong as a new European route was launched and another was resumed. Air France
touched down in the Valley of the Sun to much fanfare. In fact, the nonstop route to Paris proved to be so popular that the carrier decided to serve PHX year-round instead of its originally planned seasonal flights. Condor reinstated its nonstop seasonal route to Frankfurt, Germany, this summer, but the carrier deployed its new Airbus A330-900neo aircraft for the first time.
Photo: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
On the domestic side, all airlines grew their total passenger numbers in August over last year. 
American Airlines
, PHX’s largest operator, increased its total monthly passenger count by 9% year-over-year to 1.6 million, according to the Phoenix Business Journal. The increase also resulted in a jump in total landings at the airport by 11%. PHX’s second-largest carrier, 
Southwest Airlines
, grew by over 8% last month compared to August 2023. Frontier Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines experienced year-over-year growth of 38.1%, 7.6%, and 0.7%, respectively.
New facilities & the return of widebodies
Southwest has operated from four concourses at Terminal 4 since 2022. Concourse E, which is the newest facility, has more recently introduced more eateries, while a Chase Sapphire Lounge is set to open in the near future.
Next month, American will return regularly scheduled widebody domestic flights at PHX. Beginning October 7th, the airline will deploy its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The aircraft will operate daily throughout the month, while the smaller 787-8 will operate select flights in November and December, according to aviation data and analytics provider Cirium.