For more than 20 years, The Weitz Company has had the privilege of partnering with the City of Phoenix and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to help build, improve and modernize one of Arizona’s most important assets. 

That relationship represents more than two decades of projects. It represents a shared understanding of what it takes to build in an active airport environment where construction must happen safely and efficiently without disrupting the operations, travelers, airlines, tenants and employees who rely on the airport every day. 

As one of the nation’s busiest airports and proudly known as “America’s Friendliest Airport,” Phoenix Sky Harbor has a responsibility to deliver an exceptional experience from the moment passengers arrive. At Weitz, we understand that responsibility. When our team steps onto a Sky Harbor project, we wear the PSHIA brand alongside our own. Every construction decision must consider the people who will experience the airport before, during and after construction. 

Over the course of our partnership with the City of Phoenix, Weitz has delivered projects ranging from passenger-facing terminal renovations to critical transportation infrastructure and complex baggage systems. Each project has brought different challenges, but the foundation for success has remained consistent: collaboration, communication, safety, and an unwavering commitment to keeping the airport operational. 

Transforming Terminal 4 

One of the early milestones in our Sky Harbor relationship was the Terminal 4 Retail Renovation, completed in 2006. The 167,000-square-foot project included the complete demolition and reconstruction of Level 3, modernization of 24 public-access elevators, retail stores throughout the concourses, modifications to Security Checkpoint C, MEP system replacements and a new freight elevator. 

The project was originally planned for a 36-month implementation and build-out. Weitz completed it in just 22 months through complex phasing, meticulous material delivery coordination and careful management of utility shutdowns, wayfinding signage and public-area closures and detours. 

That experience reinforced a lesson that continues to define our work at Sky Harbor: successful airport construction isn’t simply about building the project; it’s about building the project while the airport continues to serve its passengers. 

Supporting the Passenger Experience 

Our work at Terminal 4 has also extended beyond major renovations and infrastructure. In 2014, Weitz completed the Terminal 4 Food and Beverage Infrastructure project, providing shell infrastructure and the MEP and fire protection systems needed to support food and beverage venues throughout the terminal. 

The 78,000-square-foot, $3.4 million project encompassed 22 existing concession blocks and two new locations, with work taking place in every Terminal 4 concourse as well as on the tarmac and apron. The work even included removal and replacement of apron concrete and sidewalks to install sewer lines and grease interceptors. 

Most importantly, the infrastructure had to be installed without affecting the day-to-day business operations of the airport and its tenants. Success required continuous coordination among City of Phoenix and Sky Harbor officials, airlines, concessionaires, designers, consultants and Airport Operations. 

That level of coordination is more than a project requirement; it is the foundation of a successful partnership. 

Connecting the Airport: PHX Sky Train 

Weitz’s partnership with Sky Harbor has also included some of the airport’s most significant transportation infrastructure. 

For the PHX Sky Train, Weitz served as general contractor for Phases 1 and 1A of the automated train system, constructing 3.2 miles of running surfaces and completing the systems necessary to operate the train. Phase 1A added another 1.2 miles of guideway connecting Terminal 4 to Terminal 3. Weitz also completed the 35,000-square-foot Maintenance & Operations Facility, including the train control center, administrative offices, maintenance areas, and main power supply. 

The project demanded an extraordinary level of precision. Weitz developed innovative solutions including an under-track LED lighting system and an emergency walkable cable tray system while maintaining rigorous quality control. 

The relationship continued with the PHX Sky Train Stage 2 Maintenance & Storage Facility. The expansion added maintenance bays, storage, offices, an expanded workshop and a new train wash featuring a water conservation system that uses 70% recycled water. The project also required construction adjacent to an existing, occupied facility, making communication with Operations and Maintenance an essential part of the work. 

Together, these projects demonstrate the depth of experience that comes from being a long-term partner, not simply understanding how to build, but understanding how the airport operates. 

Aviation Expertise That Runs Deep 

Our success at Sky Harbor is also supported by the depth of aviation and baggage handling expertise within the Weitz team. Our aviation professionals bring experience across complex airport environments, while our baggage handling specialists understand the unique challenges of integrating sophisticated conveyor and screening systems into active terminals. That combination of aviation and BHS expertise allows our team to see the project from both perspectives, understanding not only how the systems need to function, but how construction activities can impact airport operations, passengers and other stakeholders. With experienced professionals who understand the intricacies of airport construction and baggage systems, Weitz can anticipate challenges, coordinate interfaces, and make informed decisions before they become disruptions. 

Modernizing the Baggage Experience 

Today, that partnership continues through the Terminal 4 Baggage Handling System (BHS) Upgrades project. 

Weitz is helping modernize Sky Harbor’s 30+ year-old baggage handling system, including outbound, screening and inbound claim systems throughout Terminal 4. The program encompasses T4 North, T4 International, T4 Recheck, T4 FIS and inbound baggage claims, along with associated architectural, MEP, electrical, technology and life-safety improvements. 

This is exactly the type of project where experience matters. 

Baggage systems are the behind-the-scenes infrastructure that passengers may never see but they are essential to the airport experience. Modernizing them requires extensive planning, coordination, and phasing while maintaining the continuity of airport operations. 

For Weitz, the project is another opportunity to apply lessons learned through decades of working alongside the City of Phoenix and Sky Harbor. Anticipate challenges, communicate early, coordinate relentlessly, and never lose sight of the airport’s mission. 

A Partnership Built to Last 

Twenty-plus years of work at Phoenix Sky Harbor have given Weitz something that cannot be measured by square footage, project value or completed milestones: a deep understanding of our client and the environment in which we build. 

From retail and food and beverage renovations to automated transportation systems and critical baggage infrastructure, our work has touched nearly every aspect of the passenger journey. 

And while each project has been different, one priority has remained constant: maintaining safe, active, and uninterrupted airport operations. 

We are proud to continue wearing the PSHIA brand alongside the Weitz brand and to play a role in supporting an airport that connects Phoenix to the world.