Authorizing City Council's Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold public hearings to investigate how the Philadelphia International Airport can expand its international flight options to position the city to become more competitive in serving area residents and more attractive for tourism and conventions.

WHEREAS, Currently, there are 22 airlines that operate out of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), however, only four of these airlines offer international flights: Air Jamaica; British Airways; Lufthansa; and US Airways; and

WHEREAS, Comparably, Newark Liberty International Airport, which is a 1.5 hour drive and easily accessible by public transportation, has 42 airlines including over 20 that offer international flights; and

WHEREAS, The difference in the number of international flights directly effects the number of international passengers served each year. While PHL served over 3.5 million international passengers in 2007, Newark Liberty accommodated over 10.5 million the same year; and

WHEREAS, If Philadelphia increased the number of international flight and airline options, the City would position itself to better serve the greater Philadelphia area and benefit economically by an increase in overall passenger traffic and tourism; and

WHEREAS, Already, PHL is one of the largest economic engines in Pennsylvania and generates $14 billion annually for the local economy. Expanding international flight options would bolster these benefits and allow Philadelphia to better market itself and its attractions world-wide; and

WHEREAS, Expanding flight options, especially for international travel, would also allow Philadelphia to compete for more conventions and corporate meetings; and

WHEREAS, Given Philadelphia's close proximity to 40 percent of the U.S. population and its economical, cultural, and historical appeal, the city is an attractive place for a convention and conducive to any corporate travel budget; and

WHEREAS, Cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York recognize the correlation between being accessible and attracting conventions, as these cities rank at the top of having the most international passenger traffic and having the busiest convention centers in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Increasing flight and airline options would also attract more international tourism, which would benefit the local economy and the City's international image; and

WHEREAS, Resolution 090881, introduced on December 3, 2009, calls for public hearings to evaluate Philadelphia International Airport's current resources for international travelers and explore current trends and opportunities to improve these services to improve our City's international image; and

WHEREAS, Together, these resolutions aim to explore ways to make Philadelphia a more accessible and welcoming destination for people all over the globe; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council Committee on Legislative Oversight to hold public hearings to investigate how the Philadelphia International Airport can expand its international flight options to position the city to become more competitive in serving area residents and more attractive for tourism and conventions.

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