Here's how visits from U.S. presidents affect Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
As candidates make their way along the 2024 campaign trail, Phoenix will experience visits from the contenders for the next U.S. president — including incumbent Democratic president Joe Biden and his presumptive Republican challenger, former president Donald Trump.
Trump will visit Phoenix on Jan. 26, his first visit since an October 2022 rally in Mesa supporting Arizona GOP candidates. He'll be in town for the Arizona GOP's Freedom Fest event, taking place at Dream City Church in north Phoenix.
Since taking office, Biden has made three trips to Arizona: in December 2022 to visit the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. facility in north Phoenix, in August 2023 to designate a new national monument near the Grand Canyon, and in September 2023 for a private fundraiser and a public tribute to the late John McCain, who represented Arizona in the U.S. Senate.
The September 2023 visit was Biden's first where Air Force One landed and took off from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
New for 2024: Flights, restaurants, lounges and more at the Phoenix airport
Many former presidents including Donald Trump, Barack Obama and George W. Bush landed and took off from Sky Harbor via Air Force One.
If the president lands and/or takes off at Sky Harbor, passengers won't notice much difference as they arrive or depart from the airport.
Just as long as their flight doesn't time with when the president arrives and departs.
Where does Air Force One land and take off at the Phoenix airport?
Air Force One does not use Sky Harbor's public terminals, airport spokeswoman Tamra Ingersoll said.
It parks away from the terminals and the president disembarks by stairs to the awaiting presidential motorcade, she said.
Passengers won't see any difference in how the terminals operate during a presidential visit, but they might notice a delay if their flight is scheduled to take off or land when Air Force One arrives and departs, she said.
"We usually don’t see significant impacts or flight delays surrounding this," Ingersoll said.
It's complicated: Why didn't Phoenix's historic heat wave ground more Sky Harbor flights?
Do roads near the airport close?
No, but police may stop traffic when the motorcade drives through.
What tips does Sky Harbor offer passengers for presidential visits?
Ingersoll said passengers and people picking up family or friends should plan for a presidential visit the same way they would any other busy time at the airport like holiday travel seasons.
Tips she offers include:
Allow extra time to get to the airport.
Check the status of the flight at skyharbor.com and/or with the airline.
Use the PHX Sky Train stations at 44th Street and 24th Street for passenger pickups and drop-offs to avoid traffic congestion around the airport. Passengers can use the free Sky Train to travel between the stations and the terminals.
It's growing: Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport is busier than ever. This is why
Reach the reporter at Michael.Salerno@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @salerno_phx.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: How Phoenix Sky Harbor airport is affected by Air Force One landings
