‘Eternally grateful’: What Alexandria Pierce of Phoenix Sky Harbor is wishing for in 2021
Wishing #Wishing
In the middle of the biggest worldwide disruption to hit the aviation industry, Alexandria “Lexie” Pierce returned home to Arizona in October to take over as Phoenix’s new air service development manager, the person responsible for recruiting new airlines and destinations to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
The COVID-19 pandemic makes it a challenging time to assume those responsibilities, previously handled by Deb Ostreicher, who retired in October. It requires one to look down the road at what Phoenix might need in the future and persuade airlines to bring that service to Sky Harbor.
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“Health and safety are our first priority,” Pierce said. “What I’m trying to do is prepare for when the numbers do go down. When the vaccines come out, when people are ready to travel again and that we have the service that they need.”
This is a really unpredictable time to do that. The pandemic has caused air traffic at Sky Harbor to plummet by 50% and paused Phoenix’s blossoming transatlantic service. Yet at the same time, new routes are being added at Sky Harbor.
Southwest Airlines is bringing new international service to Phoenix by adding flights to Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun, Mexico, (coming in March 2021) while also adding domestic destinations including Palm Springs and Chicago O’Hare. Frontier Airlines added routes in California.
Pierce, a mother of three who started her career as an intern at Sky Harbor before leaving for Orange County in 2011, is excited to come back to her home state and take on this challenge.
“I’m so eternally grateful to be back home. Phoenix is my home,” Pierce said.
With hope on the horizon thanks to the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, we asked Pierce about her wishes for the new year.
My biggest wish for 2021 is … 
Pierce: My biggest wish for 2021 is first and foremost good health and success for all Arizonans. Especially our front-line workers, essential workers and all those who have carried us through this crisis. Our airport workers have continued to work during this crisis to help those who needed to travel get to their destination safely. I am forever grateful to them.
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One thing Arizona needs more of in the new year …
Pierce: One thing Arizona needs more of in the new year, as cases of COVID-19 hopefully decline, is air service! The increase in leisure travel has brought some exciting new destinations added to our portfolio.
One thing Arizona needs less of in the new year …
Pierce: One thing Arizona needs less of in the new year is bad news. We, along with everyone else in the U.S. and around the globe, have had enough of that in 2020.
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In 2021, I really want to see …
Pierce: In 2021, I really want to see our economy recover and Phoenix continue to be an attractive place for business. I know this will continue under the great leadership of Phoenix’s mayor and city council. I am working hand in hand with our partner Chris McKay, head of Phoenix’s Community Economic Development department, to make a case to the airlines for increased overseas air service, as we continue to bring companies into the area that increase demand for international service.
I hope the new year brings us …
Pierce: I hope the new year brings us good health and an end to this pandemic – and, as a result, more travel. There is pent-up demand for leisure travel, so I hope when people are ready to travel they know both the airport and airlines have worked to put every possible protocol in place and we are ready for them. I hope our airline partners continue to add new leisure destinations. This is such a great opportunity for Arizonans to easily and affordably visit other places and for residents of those destinations to see the wonders or Arizona.
You can connect with Arizona Republic Consumer Travel Reporter Melissa Yeager through email at melissa.yeager@azcentral.com. You can also follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ‘Eternally grateful’: What Alexandria Pierce of Phoenix Sky Harbor is wishing for in 2021