Honeywell Aerospace: Ready for some football!

With nearly 200,000 football fans expected to descend on Phoenix for the 2023 big game festivities Feb. 12, Honeywell Aerospace joins the Valley of the Sun in extending a big welcome to the metro area that is home to our aviation headquarters.

It’s going to be quite a crowd – everywhere. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport plans to handle an additional 20,000 to 30,000 passengers per day during the big game week. The high end of that daily total is the equivalent of half the capacity of Phoenix’s NFL stadium!

Add to that corporate and business travelers, with an estimated 15,000 arriving for the game and related events. About 30,000 of the game-related visitors are coming from out of state, with the majority from California and Texas. Little wonder the area’s hotel occupancy rate is expected to hit 98% this week, with rooms costing several times their normal rate.

Whether arriving on a commercial plane, charter flight, executive business jet or private aircraft, it’s safe to say everyone flying here will be touched by Honeywell Aerospace technology. Our aircraft engines, auxiliary power units, avionics and other aviation products play a substantial role on aircraft of every type.

Phoenix previously played host to the big game in 1996, 2008 and 2015, so we’ve got some in-depth experience with the flight-related requirements of this major sporting extravaganza. That expertise tells us it’s likely as many as 1,000 additional planes could be descending on airports all around the area as kickoff draws near.

It’s not only aircraft passengers headed our way. All Arizona airports will see an increase in cargo traffic, with more goods and supplies being shipped in to support the game and associated events.

When the big game wraps up at the end of the weekend, all that extra aircraft carrying tired fans, celebs, athletes and big players must be ready for on-time wheels up. In fact, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicates the Sunday of the big game is the second-busiest day for air travel in the U.S., second only to the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

So, count on Honeywell Aerospace to bring our A game – with 24/7 aircraft on ground (AOG) support and a crew of Phoenix-based technical support engineers standing by for immediate dispatch. With our mechanical parts distribution center based at Phoenix Sky Harbor, we can deliver parts quickly to all the regional airfields.

Across the Valley, many, many other aviation and transportation professionals will be working just as hard to make the weekend a success.

Airports are adding flights, extending hours of operation and increasing staffing levels. Additional TSA and law enforcement personnel are on hand to ensure the safety and security of passengers. Extra buses and shuttles will ensure everyone can get to the game and connected activities on time.

It’s a big job but we’re all ready for this event, which carries an estimated economic impact of around $500 million for Arizona. Whether you're a die-hard football fan or just intrigued by the bottom-line boost, expect the 2023 big game in Arizona to be a touchdown for everyone!