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Infrastructure

Telecommunications

Geographic location, excellent satellite communication conditions, and a favorable regulatory climate earn Phoenix a reputation for being particularly advantageous for call centers and other information processing activities. For satellite-dependant telecommunication operations, Phoenix can offer cost-savings through single-location operations with international coverage and access to 26 satellites over Asia and Europe. A number of companies maintain information processing operations in Greater Phoenix. American Express, Bank of America, Chase BankCard Services, Discover Card, State Farm Insurance, PCS Health Systems, and Charles Schwab are just a few of the companies that have established call centers in the area.

US West, the primary local service provider, has made significant infrastructure investments in Arizona with the development of its Network 21 System. Greater Phoenix is now one of the top five regional fiber optic deployments in the United States, with a system of 15 self-healing fiber optic rings and a local US West fiber network covering 897 square miles. All parts of the metro area are equipped with digital switching and integrated services digital networks (ISDN). The Phoenix area is also one of the first metro areas to have megabit high speed digital data service through US West, and digital television service is now available through US West copper lines.

Enhanced telecommunications capabilities are also available through Cox Communications. Cox Communications, Inc. is the fifth largest multiple systems operator in the United States. As a full service provider of telecommunication products, Cox offers an array of services including cable television, local and long-distance telephone service, high-speed Internet access, commercial voice and data services, and advanced digital video programming services.

Transportation

Air Transportation

Businesses, travelers and commuters are the winners at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Located centrally, rather than on the region's outskirts like most major airports, the airport is served by more than 22 airlines and has non-stop flights to nearly every major city in the United States. Between 1991 and 2000, Phoenix is expected to be the seventh fastest growing airport in the nation-- third in the West behind Denver and Dallas.

Flying Figures - 1999
Annual passengers (Up 5.8% from 1998) 33,554,407
International passengers (Up 1.3% from 1998) 816,615
Cargo (U.S. tons) (Down 0.3% from 1998) 365,543
Airport Operations (takeoffs and landings) (Up 4.6% from 1998) 562,714
Airport Rankings - 1998
Passenger traffic rankings
     In the United States for passenger traffic
     In the world for passenger traffic
     In the world for aircraft operations (takeoff and landings)
9th busiest
14th busiest
6th busiest
Average Number of Daily Commercial Airline Flights 1,300
Average Number of Daily Commercial Airline Seats 157,650
Cities Served Via Nonstop Flights 98
Cities Served Via Direct Flights (one or more stops) 114
Source: Source: City of Phoenix, Aviation Department, "Quick Facts," 1999

Another bonus for Phoenix Sky Harbor International users is the airport's on-time flight record. About 80% of all Phoenix Sky Harbor flights operate on time, ranking the airport with one of the best on-time records of all major airports in the world. This translates into less lost time for business travelers.

Continued improvements are underway at Phoenix Sky Harbor to improve passenger and cargo service through better ground access to terminals and freight areas. New routes to the Pacific Rim and additional routes to Europe are being proposed to further improve the strategic advantages offered by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

International air cargo services are available through air freight companies and international shippers. American Airlines and U S Airways provide wide-body freight service from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Additionally, more than 50 air cargo companies serve greater Phoenix.

Nonstop Destinations
From Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Destination Daily Nonstop Flights Destination Daily Nonstop Flights
Acapulco, Mexico 1 Los Angeles, CA 44
Albuquerque. NM 19 Los Cabos, Mexico 3
Anchorage, AK 1 Louisville, KY 1
Aspen, CO 2 Mazatlan, Mexico 2
Atlanta, GA 10 Mexico City, Mexico 1
Austin, TX 9 Miami, FL 1
Baltimore, MD 6 Milwaukee, WI 5
Boston, MA 4 Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN 10
Burbank, CA 13 Montrose, CO 1
Charlotte, NC 1 Nashville, TN 2
Chicago, IL 18 New Orleans, LA 2
Cincinnati, OH 4 New York, NY 4
Cleveland, OH 4 Newark, NJ 8
Colorado Springs, CO 5 Oakland, CA 8
Columbus, OH 5 Oklahoma City, OK 3
Dallas, TX 20 Omaha, NE 5
Denver, CO 21 Ontario, CA 21
Des Moines, IA 5 Orange County, CA 8
Detroit, MI 7 Orlando, FL 2
Durango, CO 4 Palm Springs, CA 6
El Paso, TX 15 Philadelphia, PA 6
Farmington, NM 3 Pittsburgh, PA 3
Flagstaff, AZ 8 Portland, OR 8
Ft Huachuca/Sierra Vista, AZ 3 Prescott, AZ 3
Fresno, CA 5 Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 1
Gallup, NM 3 Reno, NV 7
Grand Junction, CO 5 Sacramento, CA 8
Guadalajara, Mexico 1 St. Louis, MO 13
Guaymas, Mexico 3 Salt Lake City, UT 15
Hermosillo, Mexico 3 San Antonio, TX 7
Honolulu, HI 1 San Diego, CA 24
Houston, TX 17 San Francisco, CA 19
Indianapolis, IN 2 San Jose, CA 11
Ixtapal/Zihuatanejo, Mexico 1 Santa Barbara, CA 3
Kahului Maui, HI 1 Seattle, WA 12
Kansas City, MO 9 Telluride, CO 2
Lake Havasu, AZ 4 Toronto, Ontario, Canada 2
Las Vegas, NV 36 Tucson, AZ 13
Laughlin, NV 3 Tulsa, OK 3
Little Rock, AR 1 Vancouver, BC, Canada 2
London, UK 1 Washington DC 3
Long Beach, CA 5 Wichita, KS 2
    Yuma, AZ 7
Source: Phoenix Flight Guide, July 1999
International flights in italics

Rail and Trucking

Two transcontinental rail lines serve Greater Phoenix, the Southern Pacific and the Santa Fe. Industrial-zoned, rail-served properties are available, and the following rail services are also available: trailer on flat car (TOFC), container on flat car (COFC), and deramping facilities for TOFC and COFC.

Motor Freight Market
Greater Phoenix to Destination Cities
Motor Freight Market
Greater Phoenix to Destination Cities
City Mileage
from
Greater
Phoenix
Truck
Delivery
Airline
Service
Rail
Service
1996
Est.
Population
Greater Phoenix         2,634,625
Tucson 120 Overnight Nonstop Overnight 768,800
Las Vegas 285 Overnight Nonstop N/A 1,205,100
San Diego 350 Overnight Nonstop 3rd day 2,722,700
Los Angeles 379 Overnight Nonstop Overnight 9,245,300
El Paso 440 Overnight Nonstop 2nd day 692,500
Albuquerque 460 Overnight Nonstop Overnight 665,600
Riverside/San Bernardino 413 Overnight No service 3rd day 3,031,100
Salt Lake City/Ogden 645 2nd day Nonstop No service 1,211,800
Sacramento 680 2nd day Nonstop 3rd day 1,509,400
San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose 800 2nd day Nonstop 4th day 5,537,500
Denver/Boulder/Longmont 813 2nd day Nonstop 2nd day 1,997,600
Austin/San Marcos 1,000 2nd day Nonstop No service 1,101,700
Dallas/Ft. Worth/Arlington 1,002 2nd day Nonstop 4th day 4,522,800
Houston 1,164 2nd day Nonstop 4th day 3,739,400
Source: Demographics USA; Arizona Department of Economic Security, Research Administration

Interstate 10, the main artery of the Sunbelt, extends from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, Florida, making possible overnight service from Phoenix to markets with a combined population of more than 10 million people. Major southwest markets in California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas are easily accessible.

The costs associated with motor freight generally vary according to distance and weight; however, because many trucks bring shipments to greater Phoenix and must return to California empty, rates may be reduced as much as 50 percent by taking advantage of potential back-haul discounts. Many local trucking firms offer less-than-truckload shipping services. This can benefit small businesses, particularly those requiring small, frequent shipments.


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City of Phoenix
Community and Economic Development Department
200 West Washington Street, 20th Floor
Phoenix, Arizona 85003

Call: 602.262.5040
Fax: 602.495.5097
TTY: 602.534.3476

Email: Click here to send

The city of Phoenix provides accessibility to information, participation, services and employment for persons with disabilities. This guide may be made available in the following alternative formats: large print, braille or audio-tape by calling (602) 534-CITY (2489).

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