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.
Contents
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)