PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 7, 2005--Charles J. Isdell, the City's Aviation Director, is one of 14 individuals being recognized by The PENJERDEL Council as "Masters of the Infrastructure." The individuals were honored at the Council's 50th Annual Awards Luncheon on November 3rd. The honorees represent a variety of industries in the Philadelphia region, including finance, architecture, real estate, technology, utility and academic.
The PENJERDEL Council, whose mission is to enhance the economic competitiveness and quality of life in the tri-state region, selected the "Masters of the Infrastructure" as those "who have devoted their careers to making the region a better place to live and work."
"Congratulations to Charles Isdell for this prestigious recognition," said Mayor John F. Street. "Under Charles' directorship, Philadelphia International Airport has achieved tremendous growth in passenger traffic and air service. It has also secured its position as one of the region's most robust economic engines, contributing $14 billion annually to the region's economy."
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), the only major airport serving the 5th largest metropolitan area in the country, plays a vital role in the region's transportation infrastructure. Nearly eight million people in the metropolitan area rely on PHL for their air service needs.
Since Isdell became the City's Aviation Director in 2000, PHL's passenger traffic has increased 25% to a record 31.1 million in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2005. During his tenure, PHL has served more than 150 million passengers on more than 2.7 million flights. Air travelers have been attracted to PHL by an abundance of affordable airfares. US Airways, the Airport's hub carrier, has reduced fares on many routes in response to competition from low-fare entrants Southwest Airlines, AirTran Airways, Frontier Airlines and USA3000.
"This is a great honor for the entire Airport community," Isdell said. "It is a privilege to support The PENJERDEL Council's mission to seek solutions to economic and quality of life challenges facing the Delaware Valley region."
The Philadelphia Airport System is owned and operated by the City of Philadelphia and is composed of Philadelphia International Airport and Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The Airport System is a self-sustaining entity that operates without the use of local tax dollars. It is one of the largest economic engines in Pennsylvania, generating an estimated $14 billion in spending to the regional economy and employing a workforce of nearly 34,000.
Visit the official Philadelphia International Airport website at http://www.phl.org
CONTACT: Philadelphia International Airport Mark Pesce, 215-937-6944 KEYWORD: PENNSYLVANIAINDUSTRY KEYWORD: GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING/MARKETING TRAVEL AIRLINES TRANSPORTATIONSOURCE: Philadelphia International Airport
