Philadelphia TRACON is a combined Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) and Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) facility located at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). The facility provides both radar approach/departure services and tower operations, known as "Up-and-Down" capabilities. It is organized into three primary operational sectors: "A-side" controllers manage the tower and part of the radar room. "B-side" radar controllers control the traffic in and out of Philadelphia International Airport, and all if its nearby satellite airports and airspace. "C-side" radar controllers control the traffic in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport, and all of its nearby satellite airports and airspace.
Philadelphia International Airport is classified as a Level 12 facility. The TRACON manages approximately 2,800 aircraft movements daily, while the ATCT handles about 1,700 operations each day.
The primary responsibility of the Philadelphia TRACON/ATCT is to ensure the safe, orderly, and efficient flow of air traffic in the region. In addition to Philadelphia International Airport, the TRACON provides approach and departure services to several satellite airports, including: Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Wilmington Airport (ILG) in Wilmington, Delaware Trenton–Mercer Airport (TTN) in Trenton, New Jersey Wings Field (LOM) in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania Heritage Field (PTW) in Pottstown, Pennsylvania Brandywine Regional Airport (OQN) in West Chester, Pennsylvania
The TRACON's airspace covers portions of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and northeastern Maryland.
In July 2024, the Newark sector of the New York TRACON was transferred to the Philadelphia TRACON. Newark operations are managed as a distinct area within the facility.
TRACON breakdown
Philadelphia Area Final Vectors One – 125.400 Final Vectors Two – 132.675 North Arrival – 128.400 South Arrival – 133.875 North Departure – 124.350 South Departure – 119.750 North High – 126.075 South High – 125.125 Yardley – 123.800 Pottstown – 126.850 Dupont – 118.350 Woodstown – 127.350
Newark Area Final Vector – 125.500 North Arrival – 120.150 North Arrival (Backup) – 135.575 Yardley (South/Primary) – 128.550 Yardley (South/Alternate) – 125.625 Yardley (East) – 132.700 METRO (Satellite) – 132.800 MUGZY (Satellite) – 127.600 ZEEBO (Satellite) – 123.775 Departure (Primary) – 119.200 Departure (Backup) – 128.800
ATCT breakdown Local East – 118.500 Local West – 135.100 Ground East – 121.900 Ground West – 121.650 Clearance Delivery – 118.850 Tower Sequencer (During SWAP)- 123.600
Neighboring facilities PHL is bordered by the following facilities: New York TRACON (N90) Potomac TRACON (PCT) Reading TRACON (RDG) McGuire RAPCON (WRI) Allentown TRACON (ABE) Dover RAPCON (DOV) Harrisburg TRACON (MDT) Atlantic City TRACON (ACY)
PHL airspace lies beneath both of the following ARTCCs: New York ARTCC (ZNY) Washington ARTCC (ZDC)
References