[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6149882,"mediaKeyId","5510074-1aa60722957a70c4998975be547d6c15","parentId",5510074,"title","Officials spotlight accessibility programs and therapy-dog navigators at Sky Harbor’s 90th celebration","audioSeconds",53,"startMs",238820,"endMs",292280,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5510074-1aa60722957a70c4998975be547d6c15&start=238&end=292","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5510074-1aa60722957a70c4998975be547d6c15/thumbnail_238820.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6149882/Arizona/Officials-spotlight-accessibility-programs-and-therapy-dog-navigators-at-Sky-Harbors-90th-celebration","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149882-7e4dca3bcfe0d13b53acfa0eb66b5e5d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776169468&Signature=M3TEIEIM4EFkHgY8lzXHCfEpqKQJPKx-obDZoIVsaxt6jxVODm8ORRFfaAr5xkxieoTl2oCy3WbErhcY~TQW-3Ph-ZAya-BD9tyXv1BW~Ea~n0p36uJhUVWA5YZUJK5ce-3xwrB86K7Pv1zvNQ0A6TaJOFDxm8S77plDivFxXZ1l~Pp1l26jbDRo-RDW0Z~QTvt4cpmbVzaKcM9Vz5YCaQjRtGyev36zNqWVJdMnWl3luE9LK5s1wX5lUwXmOOddi8r2IwUfZzCNVoNDj8Cuuu7CNXiSiEM4Q5PVijSfbSI9mBfC6wvbh-~YtllwNjsNFgzmSibz6XMXxK7g4kz0XA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Phoenix, AZ","date","2025-07-30T17:51:01Z","article","City officials used a July 29, 2025 anniversary event at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to highlight traveler services focused on accessibility and passenger comfort, including technology for people with sensory disabilities, facility accommodations for dementia and autism, and the airport’s therapy-dog program.

Mayor Kate Gallego said Sky Harbor has “invested in advanced technology for visually impaired or hard of hearing travelers” and pointed to facilities meant to serve travelers with dementia, autism and other diagnoses. She also referenced an award-winning lanyard program designed to signal when travelers need extra assistance and named the Wings for Autism program as a community partner that helps families learn how to navigate air travel.

Councilwoman Keisha Hodge Washington praised the airport’s volunteer navigator program and therapy-dog volunteers, known at the airport as “navigator buddies.” Speaking about Wings for Autism, Gallego said she “got to meet a family who was able to go to Disney for the first time thanks to the Wings for Autism experience and just learning how to navigate the airport.”

Officials described these services as part of an effort to make Sky Harbor both accessible and welcoming. Aviation Director Chad Makovsky emphasized the airport’s focus on customer experience and on the people who deliver that experience, describing airport staff, volunteers and vendor partners as central to the effort to serve diverse traveler needs.

No policy changes, formal directives or new funding amounts for these programs were announced during the event; statements were presented as examples of ongoing programs and partnerships.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Sky Harbors 90th Anniversary \"90th PAW-TY\" | News Feed","oneSentenceSummary","City officials highlighted accessibility and traveler-support programs at Phoenix Sky Harbor during the airport’s 90th-anniversary celebration on July 29, 2025, emphasizing technology, facility accommodations and therapy-dog volunteers.","taxTitle","Events, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona","taxId",80566,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6149886,"Phoenix celebrates Sky Harbor’s 90th anniversary as leaders cite record traffic and new international routes",77,368000,445380,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5510074-1aa60722957a70c4998975be547d6c15&start=368&end=445","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5510074-1aa60722957a70c4998975be547d6c15/thumbnail_368000.jpg","/articles/6149886/Arizona/Phoenix-celebrates-Sky-Harbors-90th-anniversary-as-leaders-cite-record-traffic-and-new-international-routes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6149886-f5f071d14b8515b26e67a46c2c0564af/orig.mp4?Expires=1776169468&Signature=i6EGN8LjL-WVH003ww1lfGmQGn0W9ZAmr8V95CPbGWz8SSI6694uOuIs6GmChNr8eEVZfMk9gtBDj6B7ZnOt4dfTfKdZ2uI8rdrtcYj0~Sd7zq32JdVY6qlLrFbKkvIYhyOnWq8br9G-wlYOz1cZffJKuOOw8Nmmpv8h4iJ~3Nx-ZUUnk-cP3h-8MFgZloVn8n-S8aDvDHdMvRc5yDVgpJGbQExlQBRoY4x063SRVEm2iWtcbby1HpznRP8unlWnJgmUYYEvH8~9i9-U2tJ-WpKwZyz0ODAM4SY2OAihacKt6rmxQpwNN3UoXy4TKJQ2CMxeWOIBR8PbEEsLHfimYA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Phoenix marked the 90th anniversary of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on July 29, 2025, with city leaders commemorating the airport’s growth and issuing a mayoral proclamation recognizing the milestone. Mayor Kate Gallego read the proclamation during a public event and credited the airport with economic and civic value to Phoenix.

The airport has seen what officials described as sustained growth in recent years. Mayor Kate Gallego said Sky Harbor “has been ranked number 1 by the Wall Street Journal” and noted the airport added “21 global destinations in the past year” and now offers nonstop service to “more than 140 cities.” Gallego also cited a new nonstop Air France route between Phoenix and Paris and said Starlux Airlines will begin nonstop service to Taipei in the coming months.

Why it matters: city officials framed the anniversary as a moment to highlight Sky Harbor’s role in the region’s economy and connectivity. Gallego said the airport had handled more than 52 million passengers in 2024 and that, since 1951, roughly 1,480,000,000 passengers have transited the facility between 1951 and 2024, figures she presented as historical context.

Aviation Director Chad Makovsky, who opened the event, praised past elected leaders’ decision in 1935 to purchase the airfield and described an ongoing capital investment program. Makovsky said the airport is focused on preparing for “the next generation” through infrastructure investment and customer-experience initiatives. He emphasized the workforce and airport partners as central to the airport’s identity: “It’s our people, their dedication to friendly customer service,” he said.

Officials noted infrastructure and service features that support growth. Gallego referenced the Skytrain and identified Sky Harbor as a top destination for Waymo autonomous rides. The city and airport leaders said investments also include terminal upgrades and commercial partnerships to increase local retail and dining options for travelers.

Ceremony and formal recognition: Mayor Kate Gallego formally recognized July 29, 2025, as the airport’s ninetieth anniversary during her remarks at the event.

Looking ahead, Makovsky framed the anniversary as part of a long-term program of capital investments and sustainability measures intended to support continued route expansion and passenger growth. He said the airport leadership hopes future milestones will reflect today’s investments and decisions made by city leaders.","City leaders marked Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport’s 90th anniversary July 29, 2025, with a mayoral proclamation and remarks highlighting record passenger counts, 21 new global destinations in the past year and recent nonstop service additions.","actionData","errors"]

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Officials spotlight accessibility programs and therapy-dog navigators at Sky Harbor’s 90th celebration

Phoenix celebrates Sky Harbor’s 90th anniversary as leaders cite record traffic and new international routes