Philadelphia Airport working on security and runway issues

The head of Philadelphia International Airport says a high-profile security breach is leading to upgrades.   

Philadelphia International Airport Chief Executive Officer Mark Gale told City Council that since someone crashed a gate in the security fence last month, his team has been working on counter-measures.  Gale says they have several options to keep the runways secure.

 “We’re taking it very seriously and we’re giving it a complete review and yes we are looking at ways to strengthen the perimeter barrier around the airport,” said Gale.  “We already have begun installation of security wedges that prevent a vehicle from going through these gates as has happened before.”

Gale says his other big focus is plans to add another runway.

“Even our airlines realize that ultimately Philadelphia will need a new runway in order to solve it’s issues and its problems and we really are spending a lot of time on how do we get this new runway into creation and get it done,” he said.

Gale says they are about seven years into what could be an up to 20 year process to complete the new runway.