Looking to make Pittsburgh International Airport a modernized and industry-leading facility, officials have announced a major terminal modernization program that will transform the airport for the future.
Plans unveiled by the Allegheny County Airport Authority in early September feature a new landside terminal adjacent to the renovated airside terminal, which will include a total of 51 gates.
Along with reducing long-term costs, the renovations will benefit the traveling public by creating a more modern passenger experience.
“We are excited to make this Pittsburgh’s airport – a facility that is optimized for the needs of the local passenger and today’s aviation environment. This facility gives us the ability to truly make this the gateway to our region and continues our ascent as industry leaders,” said Christina Cassotis, Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO. “This is about being much more operationally efficient with a technology focus to position us for the future.”
“With this modernization of the terminal, our airport will be more efficient, there will be an enhanced customer experience, and it will be even more cost-competitive to airlines. This is a win-win for our region,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.
The facility will offer an expanded security checkpoint, eliminate the costly train and implement modern technology throughout the terminal, among other improvements.
The plans also call for a new parking garage and will eliminate critical points of failure in the airport’s train as well as its baggage delivery system. Passengers will move more efficiently through an expanded security checkpoint and improved security processes. Additionally, the redesigned terminal will enhance concession revenue opportunities.
The terminal modernization plan will save the Airport Authority millions of dollars in annual operation and maintenance expenses, allowing for stable airline costs as well as upholding Pittsburgh International’s commitment to cost competiveness, Cassotis said.
In addition to cutting costs, the proposal is expected to generate $1.66 billion in economic activity, adding nearly 11,000 direct and indirect jobs to the region. The plan, which does not include the use of local tax dollars, will generate more than $28 million in state and local tax revenues. The project budget is about $1.1 billion.
“With this modernization of the terminal, our airport will be more efficient, there will be an enhanced customer experience, and it will be even more cost-competitive to airlines. This is a win-win for our region,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.
The 2017 Air Transport World Airport of the Year, Pittsburgh International currently serves over 8 million passengers annually on 15 different carriers. In just two years, the airport has seen an 80 percent increase in its nonstop destinations, which is now up to 68 airports.
“I’m extremely proud to be a part of the process to help lead Pittsburgh International Airport into the future with a facility that truly serves the region’s needs while maintaining stable costs for our airline partners,” said ACAA Board Chairman David Minnotte. “The airport has made great strides in the last few years and this project will help to accelerate that momentum.”
Collaborating with its airline partners over the past three years, officials expect to break ground on the project in 2019, with anticipated completion in 2023.
The project is not expected to have a major impact on current operations and passengers will not experience major changes or disruptions during the project.
Patrick Bowes, Chairman of the Airport and Airline Affairs Committee at Pittsburgh International and Manager of Corporate Real Estate at American Airlines, said “Modernizing PIT is the right path forward. Through a highly collaborative process with the airport, we look forward to working closely with ACAA in refining its proposal and doing the right thing for this airport, the airlines and all of our customers.”