ACAA_2018_Communtiy_Annual_Report

ANNUAL

REPORT

2018

‘Flight’ by Shohei Katayama & Michael Neumann

The Allegheny County Airport Authority, the governing

agency for Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny

County Airport, welcomes you to its 2018 Annual Report.

Pittsburgh’s community of cultures is the foundation of

Pittsburgh’s past, present and future that will continue to

deﬁ ne our sense of place at Pittsburgh International Airport.

As we approach a new year, we are able to see a modern

transformation that encapsulates a new economic energy

and renaissance in our growing city.

Introduction & Summary ......................................................................................6

Innovative Partnerships ........................................................................................9

Interconnected Strategy ....................................................................................14

Nonstop Service Gains ........................................................................................ 17

Pittsburgh Regional Travel Cooperative ......................................................... 21

Real Estate Development ...................................................................................25

WELCOME

WELCOME | Table of Contents

When I ﬁ rst took oﬃ ce as County Executive in 2012, Allegheny

County and our region were beginning to enjoy signs of

progress after decades of decline following the loss of the steel

industry. I knew that in order to continue that growth that we

had to focus on Pittsburgh International Airport because what’s

good for PIT is good for our region. Easier access to our region

means more jobs, more tourism, more economic development

—just more.

We were fortunate to bring CEO Christina Cassotis and her

vision for the future of airports to Pittsburgh. Thanks to the

work of her and her team, PIT is an integral part of our region’s

success story. Whether it be recruiting new airlines, adding new

nonstop ﬂ ights, or lowering costs for airlines to operate here,

Christina and her team are continually raising standards. PIT,

along with banking, technology, medical industries, and more,

are fueling our region’s success on a daily basis.

Just as importantly, PIT and our travel and tourism industry are

intrinsically united in sharing Pittsburgh’s story to attract new and

returning visitors. Earlier this year, the Professional Convention

Management Association (PCMA) conference brought meeting

planners from around the globe to our region—and their

welcome began the moment they stepped oﬀ of the plane and

into our airport. We were proud to raise the curtain on western

Pennsylvania and share some of the characteristics that have

resulted in so much recognition for our region.

This past year was an exciting one for PIT. In September 2017,

the board of the Allegheny County Airport Authority announced

the Terminal Modernization Program. This past summer, the

project management, architect and engineering teams were

introduced. Together, they have been working to design PIT’s

future. PIT is not the airport of the mid-90s when it served as a

hub. It’s not the airport of 10 years ago when people liked to say

they couldn’t get “there” from here. Today’s PIT is exploring and

utilizing our robust technology and innovation and using that

cutting-edge vision to create an airport that adapts to meet the

needs of travelers for decades to come.

Christina, her team, and the ACAA board are poised to deﬁ ne

the terminal of tomorrow and help continue the redeﬁ ning of

our region. I hope you’ll share the journey with us.

Sincerely,

Whether it be recruiting new

airlines, adding new nonstop

ﬂ ights, or lowering costs

for airlines to operate here,

Christina and her team are

continually raising standards.

Rich Fitzgerald

Allegheny County Executive

Rich Fitzgerald

Allegheny County Executive

WELCOME | Letter from Rich

The Pittsburgh region has always been a leader in aviation. From

the time Allegheny County Airport was built and the airﬁ elds that

preceded it to the opening of Greater PIT to today’s midﬁ eld

terminal, we have been world leaders in aviation.

This year we will continue that legacy as we press forward with

a vision for a new terminal, one that is optimized for the needs

of the market and region today. But it’s important to take a

step back and look at the progress we’ve achieved in the past

year that is helping to fuel the momentum for our Terminal

Modernization Program.

This past year was as successful as any in recent memory and it all

begins with our dedicated airport team. Our colleagues are excited

about their work and the plans for the future. For all of us, it’s not

simply a job; it’s a mission. It’s part of how we deﬁ ne ourselves.

We have continued to engage and expand connections with

community partners, including travel and tourism organizations

like VisitPITTSBURGH, colleges and universities, businesses,

community groups and government agencies. Our collective

progress inspires and shapes our work. With mutual respect and

a shared vision of the future of our region, we are inextricably

united. The turnaround at Pittsburgh International Airport is the

last piece of the puzzle in our regional renaissance.

Pittsburgh International last year saw its highest volume of

passenger traﬃ c – 9.66 million – in more than a decade. Airlines

continued to add nonstop ﬂ ights including key routes like

Seattle, Montreal and Salt Lake City. And, after a 20-year hiatus,

British Airways returns and will provide nonstop service between

Pittsburgh and London Heathrow, beginning April 2, 2019.

Mindful of our airline partners, we once again lowered our

Cost Per Enplaned passenger last year for the ﬁ fth straight year

and we remain focused on creating a Pittsburgh experience

for our visitors. To that end, we expanded our Performing Arts

Series, collaborated with local visual artists and welcomed local

restaurants and retail outlets.

Allegheny County Airport is also undergoing upgrades – both

aesthetically and operationally. The recent renovations to the

historic, art-deco terminal are part of a larger plan to transform

AGC into an industry-leading general aviation airport.

We look at our history with great appreciation as our recent

progress continues. All we can say is buckle up, because we’re

going to continue to move forward. Our region is counting on it.

Sincerely,

David Minnotte

Chairman, Allegheny County Airport

Authority Board of Directors

David Minnotte

Chairman, Allegheny County Airport

Authority Board of Directors

Christina Cassotis

CEO, Allegheny County Airport Authority

Christina Cassotis

CEO, Allegheny County

Airport Authority

WELCOME | Letter from Christina & David

November 5, 2019 will mark the 20th anniversary of Allegheny County Airport Authority’s administration of Pittsburgh International

and Allegheny County Airports. Under a lease with an initial term of 25 years and two additional 25-year option terms, the Allegheny

County Airport Authority, governed by a board appointed by the Allegheny County Executive, operates the two premier airports that

serve the Pittsburgh Region.

2018 BOARD MEMBERS

WELCOME | Board Members

David Minnotte Chairman

William Curtis

Matthew Smith

Cynthia Shapira

Rich Stanizzo

Jan Rea

Robert Lewis Vice Chairman Robert Hurley Treasurer Ashley Henry Shook Secretary

INTRODUCTION

& SUMMARY

Launching Point

Pittsburgh is taking oﬀ . As the region blossoms into a global hub

for technology, energy and innovation, Pittsburgh International

Airport is transforming to meet the region’s future.

Driven by its ambition to reﬂ ect and serve the community; to

advance the region’s prominence as a world-class business,

cultural and leisure destination; and to blaze a trail for the

industry to follow; the Allegheny County Airport Authority, its

seven labor unions and 460-person workforce achieved another

year of enduring milestones in 2018.

Airport traﬃ c continued its upward trajectory this year, serving

9.66 million passengers, an increase of 7.5 percent over 2017,

and a surge of almost 18 percent over the past ﬁ ve years. The

increase in customers is the result of multiple factors, including

the addition of more nonstop ﬂ ights to national, international,

and regional destinations, as well as expanded service to already

well-connected cities such as Boston and San Francisco.

While growth is accelerating, it’s not inevitable. That is why

the Airport Authority is actively engaged in sustaining its

momentum, investing in its assets and amenities, creating

innovative partnerships with friends in the community,

and forming alliances with peers in the industry and new

acquaintances from around the world.

INTRODUCTION & SUMMARY

Airport traﬃ c continued its

upward trajectory this year,

serving 9.66 million passengers,

an increase of 7.5% over 2017.

Terminal Modernization

A key piece of PIT’s transformation is the billion-dollar Terminal

Modernization Program, which saw signiﬁ cant progress this

year with the selection of three world-class architectural and

engineering ﬁ rms to complete its design and execution.

Gensler, which designed The Tower at PNC Plaza in downtown

Pittsburgh, in association with luis vidal + architects which

designed Terminal 2 at London Heathrow, are creating an

architectural vision for a new interconnected, high-tech terminal

that is worthy of the region’s aspirations and tailored to its

speciﬁ c needs.

Under a separate joint venture, Gensler will work with HDR,

an engineering ﬁ rm with a signiﬁ cant Pittsburgh presence, to

bring its design solutions to life. In addition to “smart-sizing”

the airport, imperatives for Gensler and Vidal include creating

a world-class visitor experience and reducing long-term

operating costs for both the airport and the airlines it hosts.

Additionally, Pittsburgh-based Michael Baker will share in the

design including the parking garage and portions of the campus.

Although the Terminal Modernization Program is estimated

to produce 10,000 jobs and generate $1.7 billion in economic

activity, it will have no cost to local taxpayers. Funding is

provided through airline rates and charges and airport revenues

generated through parking, concessions, real estate income

and natural gas drilling royalties among others.

INTRODUCTION & SUMMARY

INNOVATIVE

PARTNERSHIPS

Airport as Innovation Laboratory

Building the airport of the future requires more than vision. It

also demands ingenuity. Toward that end, one the initiatives

undertaken by the Airport Authority this year announced the

formation of an Airport Innovation Laboratory in cooperation

with Carnegie Mellon University with a goal of becoming the

smartest airport in the world.

The program, which will focus on enhancing travel experiences

and airport operations, expands on an ongoing relationship

between the two institutions that began three years ago.

The Airport Authority also is working with CMU students on a

series of capstone projects, including how to make airport travel

more rewarding for people with reduced mobility and disabilities.

We’re Open

The myPITpass program remained a resounding success.

Implemented last year in partnership with the Transportation

Security Administration (TSA), the program made PIT the ﬁ rst

airport in the country since September 11, 2001 to allow non-

ticketed individuals beyond security checkpoint to shop, dine

and greet loved ones. Those individuals must of course still be

screened as they proceed through the checkpoint.

The announcement generated worldwide media coverage

and is now serving as model for peer airports seeking to

introduce similar programs. myPITpass typically attracts more

than 100 non-traveling visitors to the terminal each day, with

daily averages of 150 to 160 guests in the busy summer travel

months. More than 20,000 people used myPITpass last year.

Along with new concessions, more passengers and other

amenities, the program helped to contribute to a nearly 9

percent increase in the airport’s non-aeronautical revenue.

This past summer, Pittsburgh International Airport also

began hosting Fortyx80, a new arm of the Pittsburgh

Technology Council that is committed to advancing growth of

entrepreneurship across the region.

In September, the organizations ﬁ rst-ever pitch-and-demo

showcase gave companies and young inventors a chance to

connect with key audiences—travel agents, business and airport

travelers—to promote ideas for new apps and new products.

The airport also found another new way to give back to the

community through a new partnership with 412 Food Rescue

Pittsburgh, one of the country’s fast-growing food recovery

organizations. Working with the airport and its partners , 412

Food Rescue visits airport food vendors two times each week to

collect leftover food, then distribute it to 400 food donor sites

and 500 non-proﬁ t agencies throughout the region.

INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

MyPITpass made PIT the ﬁ rst

airport in the country since

September 11, 2001 to allow

non-ticketed individuals beyond

security checkpoint to shop,

dine and greet loved ones.

1111

Other Capital Improvements

Although the Terminal Modernization Program will result in signiﬁ cant improvements to the landside terminal in a few years, the Airport

Authority remains intent on optimizing the existing terminal for today’s traveling public. The following are among the improvements

completed this year:

• The international departures area was upgraded with a

new design and color scheme—including new carpeting

and furniture to better reﬂ ect the vibrant Pittsburgh region

for thousands of new international passengers that are

boarding new international ﬂ ights.

• The airport’s military lounge was recently moved to a new

and improved space in Concourse C of the Airside Terminal.

Designed speciﬁ cally to accommodate all active, retired and

former members of the U.S. military and their families, the

new lounge features two large-screen televisions, a quiet

napping area, kids’ place, baggage storage, a kitchenette,

integral men’s and women’s restrooms, and a grand open

view of the airport airﬁ eld. More than 10,000 travelers used

the lounge this year.

• There will be an all-new Kidsport in 2019, incorporating

colorful play areas, along with multiple interactive exhibits

that challenge the terminal’s youngest visitors to explore

the concepts of live video, height comparison, movement

and more.

• A new nursing area is outﬁ tted with changing tables for

moms, and new play equipment such as seesaws, kid-sized

furniture and rubberized ﬂ ooring and carpeting, helps the

little ones burn oﬀ energy before boarding their ﬂ ights

INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

1212

Strong Financials

For six straight years, the overall cost of doing business for

airlines at Pittsburgh International Airport fell.

As part of the Allegheny County Airport Authority’s 2019

projected $112 million budget, the airport’s Cost Per Enplaned

Passenger decreased to a budgeted $10.35, a 31 percent

decrease since peaking in 2011. The projected 2019 budget is a 3

percent increase over 2018’s $109 million budget.

An airport’s CPE is the industry standard benchmark for

comparing an airport’s costs to airlines. It is not a ticket fee

charged to passengers, but rather the total of all airport costs to

airlines divided by the carriers’ number of departing passengers.

The Allegheny County Airport Authority receives no local

taxpayer funding. Its revenue is generated through parking,

concessions, real estate development, natural gas royalties and

other user-generated dollars.

INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

*budgeted

Cost Per

Enplaned

Passenger

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018* 2019*

$10.50

$11.50

$12.50

$13.50

$10.00

$11.00

$12.00

$13.00

$14.00

$13.91

$12.89

$12.86

$12.76

$11.30

$10.35

1313

Air Service Gains

Pittsburgh International Airport experienced growth across

multiple destinations in 2018, creating an expanded menu of

options for business, leisure and ﬁ rst-time travelers.

The big news, of course, was the addition of British Airways

beginning nonstop, year-round service to London’s Heathrow

Airport. While those ﬂ ights, which depart four time each week,

won’t oﬃ cially take oﬀ until April 2, 2019, there was more than

enough success to celebrate in 2018.

Air Canada, Allegiant, Alaska and Delta all scheduled new service

over the past 12 months, while American, Delta, Jet Blue,

United and Southwest added bigger planes or more ﬂ ights to

accommodate greater demand for travel to Boston, Denver, Las

Vegas, Nashville, Newark and Orlando. New nonstop destinations

for 2018 included Charleston, South Carolina; Bradenton/

Sarasota, Florida; Salt Lake City; Montreal and others.

Like all organizations, there were setbacks, including the

discontinuation of seasonal service to Paris on Delta after 2018

and the ending of service by start-up carrier OneJet.

Even with those impediments, transatlantic traﬃ c is expected

to remain strong with the launch of British Airways service and

Condor’s seasonal ﬂ ights to Frankfurt. Additionally, November

and December saw the inauguration of seasonal ﬂ ights to West

Palm Beach, San Juan, Punta Cana and Cancun, ending a strong

year on a high note.

INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

The big news, of course,

was the addition of British

Airways beginning nonstop,

year-round service to

London’s Heathrow Airport.

INTERCONNECTED

STRATEGY

1515

One Strategy. One Direction. One Team.

Pittsburgh International Airport does more than accommodate

air travel. The facility is central to a regional growth plan

focused on expanding the community’s prosperity and

boosting its quality of life.

The Airport Authority is committed to that vision. While the

Terminal Modernization Program remains the most visible

priority, the Authority’s line of sight extends decades into the

future, propelled by an ambitious real estate development

program that will eventually populate more than 3,000 acres

of treasured and specially designated property with dozens

of new businesses, research and development facilities,

advanced manufacturing plants and centers for dining,

shopping and entertainment.

While that land promises to become a coveted gateway to

the region, the Authority also continues to invest in its most

precious assets – its people.

In 2018, the Authority and all seven labor unions representing

the airport’s 460-person workforce successfully negotiated

long-term contracts, demonstrating a shared commitment to

each other’s future and to serving the millions of people that

rely on the Airport Authority to enhance their travel experiences

every year.

Despite the fact that it accommodates growing numbers of

passengers in an increasingly outdated facility, the PIT staﬀ

saw passenger satisfaction scores continue to remain high

including two No. 1 North American rankings related to the

shopping experience.

INTERCONNECTED STRATEGY

As another sign of how well customers are

cared for, Pittsburgh International Airport

climbed from No 8. to No. 5 in Travel & Leisure

magazine’s list of top 10 domestic airports.

1616

As another sign of how well customers are cared for, Pittsburgh

International Airport climbed from No 8. to No. 5 in Travel &

Leisure magazine’s list of top 10 domestic airports. Meanwhile,

internal surveys showed employee engagement scores

increased, further reinforcing the team’s collective vision of

remaining a global aviation leader following Airport of the Year

wins from Air Transport World and CAPA in 2017.

Taken individually, each program and accolade represent a

signiﬁ cant accomplishment. Together, they signify a singular

mission, which is to maximize the airport’s resources—from the

talents of its people to the wealth and proximity of its physical

assets—for the good of the entire region.

The Authority is proud to have representation from seven labor

unions including:

• Building and Construction Trades Council of Pittsburgh,

AFL-CIO

• Construction General Laborers & Materials Handlers Union,

Local 1058

• International Association of Fireﬁ ghters, Local 1038

• International Association of Machinists and Aerospace

Workers, District Lodge 98, Local Lodge 1060

• International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 249

• International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 95-95A

• Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ

INTERCONNECTED STRATEGY

NONSTOP

SERVICE GAINS

1818

The Momentum Continues Nonstop

Pittsburgh International Airport continued its evolution from a

connecting hub to a leading origin and destination facility. In

September, Alaska Airlines debuted daily nonstop service to

Seattle, the Emerald City’s hometown airline, helping to quench

growing demand for a direct connection between the two of the

country’s most vibrant high-technology centers.

The same rationale was behind Delta’s decision to expand its

morning and evening travel options to Boston, a city also served

by JetBlue, as well as United’s addition of year-round and

seasonal departures to San Francisco.

Travelers also can ﬂ y directly to Montreal for the ﬁ rst time

since 2004, thanks to new nonstop service on Air Canada,

as well as Utah’s historic capital city, with the commencement

of Delta’s daily nonstops to Salt Lake City.

Happy vacationers can never hit the beach fast enough.

The Authority also gave them plenty to cheer about, with

new nonstop ﬂ ights touching down in Cancun; Cozumel;

Grand Bahama Island; Punta Cana; Sarasota/Bradenton,

San Juan, and West Palm Beach.

NONSTOP SERVICE GAINS

Annual

Passengers

2014 2015 2016 2017

8 Million

9 Million

7.5 Million

8.5 Million

9.5 Million

10 Million

2018

9.66

8.99

8.31

8.13

7.99

1919

PIT Cargo: In for the Long Haul

When Qatar Airways Cargo touched down at Pittsburgh

International Airport a year ago as the ﬁ rst-ever scheduled

international cargo ﬂ ight to the region, oﬃ cials knew the

potential could be considerable.

Growth in international cargo means additional jobs,

expanded direct access to global markets, and the potential

to turn PIT into a logistics hub. And with Qatar ﬂ ying twice-

weekly service, cargo could get in and out of the region quickly.

One year after that ﬁ rst ﬂ ight, oﬃ cials see progress and are

optimistic about the future. PIT’s long-term goal of becoming

a regional logistics center that, coupled with its real estate

development options, has the potential to be an economic

driver for the region.

Total cargo carried at PIT—domestic and international—ﬁ nished

the year at 156.2 million pounds, up 5.3 percent from 2017.

In August, the airport hit its high-water mark so far this decade

with more than 14 million pounds of cargo.

What Cargo Means for the Region

Cargo is critical to PIT’s continued growth and development in

terms of air service, both passenger and all-cargo, facilities and

economic impact. International cargo service like Qatar can

help the region by oﬀ ering local businesses improved access

to global markets while at the same time creating jobs through

distribution channels.

The PIT-Qatar partnership ﬁ lls a void in international logistics.

PIT provides a faster solution than overloaded international

cargo gateways – wheels down and on a truck in six hours

or less. Turn-around times at major hubs can range from

12 hours to two days.

In addition to regional beneﬁ ts, robust cargo service can provide

important revenue streams to the host airport through landing

and fueling fees and other charges.

NONSTOP SERVICE GAINS

Total cargo carried at PIT –

domestic and international

– ﬁ nished the year at 156.2

million pounds, up 5.3

percent from 2017.

2020

NONSTOP SERVICE GAINS

Modernizing for the Future: PITtransformed

The Terminal Modernization Program announced by Allegheny

County Airport Authority oﬃ cials in September 2017 is moving

forward with a team of designers, planners, engineers and

architects working collaboratively to create and design the new

terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport. Oﬃ cials expect

to break ground on the project in late 2019 with anticipated

completion in 2023.

The current airport opened more than 25 years ago as a

leading-edge facility. With the support of the airlines, Airport

Authority oﬃ cials are embarking on a plan to again make the

airport industry-leading. Built as a hub facility, the current

airport ﬁ nds itself built for the past—much too large in some

areas and capacity-constrained in others. The centerpiece

of the modernization plan involves a new landside terminal

adjacent to the renovated airside terminal with 51 gates.

Enhancing the Passenger Experience

The new terminal will create a more eﬃ cient, modern

passenger experience as it also reduces long-term costs

through the elimination of the costly train that currently

transports passengers between the landside and airside

terminals. Passenger enhancements include an expanded

security checkpoint, a dedicated ground transportation

center, an increased number of covered parking spaces,

a newly conﬁ gured international arrivals process, an improved

baggage delivery system, implementation of modern

technology throughout the terminal, and increased retail

and concession oﬀ erings, among other improvements.

Lowering Airline Costs

Cost estimates for the terminal modernization program will

be available as the project reaches ﬁ nal design. The project is

expected to create 11,000 jobs, including direct and indirect,

and produce $1.66 billion in economic activity. It is also

expected to generate more than $28 million in state and local

income taxes. The life of the facility will be extended by 40

years without the use of local tax dollars.

The new design will allow the airport to be optimized for

modern security needs. Plans also will save the authority

millions of dollars in annual operating and maintenance

costs, keep airline costs stable and maintain the authority’s

commitment to cost competitiveness.

The plans include a new parking garage and the elimination

of critical points of failure like the train and baggage delivery

system. A new, expanded security checkpoint will help move

passengers more quickly and eﬃ ciently through the security

process. A redesigned terminal also will enhance concession

revenue opportunities both before and after security.

Progress updates and the latest news and information are

posted on a dedicated project website at PITtransformed.com.

PITTSBURGH REGIONAL

TRAVEL COOPERATIVE

2222

Presenting Pittsburgh to the World

Stronger promotional ties with local business, travel and tourism

organizations was another priority in 2018. For the ﬁ rst time, Visit

Monroeville joined the Pittsburgh Regional Travel Cooperative—

encompassing VisitPittsburgh, the Allegheny Conference,

Pittsburgh Technology Council, Butler County Tourism and

Convention Bureau, Washington County Tourism Promotion

Agency and others—to focus resources on promoting PIT and

the region to potential visitors, particularly in Europe and the U.K.

Additionally, the airport, VisitPittsburgh and Idea Foundry

hosted two nonstop charter ﬂ ights from Shanghai in August,

bringing hundreds of Chinese tourists to Pittsburgh with a goal

of establishing Pittsburgh as an arrival gateway that would

eventually accelerate regularly scheduled air service between

PIT and that country’s major cities.

A separate grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation,

which continues to support several vital Airport Authority

initiatives, funded the training of hundreds of travel and tourism

representatives from VisitPittsburgh and Airport Authority

personnel to better understand and serve the Chinese market.

PITTSBURGH REGIONAL TRAVEL COOPERATIVE

2323

BLUE SKY Gives Public Behind the Scenes

Look at Transformation

A new communication vehicle took ﬂ ight at Pittsburgh

International Airport in 2018—Blue Sky. As a news service

of Pittsburgh International and Allegheny County airports,

Blue Sky strives to be the trusted source of airport and

aviation news, trends and ideas—not just in the Pittsburgh

region, but around the world. Blue Sky is the place to learn

how the airports, employees and partners are advancing the

region’s role as a world leader.

The excitement at Pittsburgh’s airports is palpable, and Blue

Sky pulls back the curtain to show what thriving, innovative

airports look like in action. It takes the reader behind the scenes

in the terminal, on the airﬁ eld and in the community to meet

the people transforming the airports and region. Experts and

partners share the technical aspects behind their work, insiders

provide their perspective on the often-complex aviation issues

of the day, and passengers and dedicated employees share

heart-warming human-interest stories.

Blue Sky’s audiences are broad and expansive. They include

passengers, airline and concessions providers, community

partners, team members, airport stakeholders and the local,

national and international media. Content is rooted in great

storytelling: well-told narratives; clear, explanatory prose;

and compelling photos, video and infographics reported in a

journalistic style.

People interested in accessing Blue Sky content can visit the

website www.BlueSkyPIT.com; register to have it delivered free

of charge to their inbox every week and follow Blue Sky on

social media channels.

As a news service of Pittsburgh International

and Allegheny County airports, Blue Sky strives

to be the trusted source of airport and aviation

news, trends and ideas.

PITTSBURGH REGIONAL TRAVEL COOPERATIVE

2424

Creating a Sense of Place

Pittsburgh International Airport often is the ﬁ rst impression of the region for travelers. From its emergence as a diverse culinary hub to its

cultural attractions, sports teams and longstanding regional institutions, Pittsburgh’s vibrancy shines through in the airport. From familiar

voices in the train to restaurants, retail outlets and art, travelers know they’re in Pittsburgh.

Food Gets Local

Local food and beverages with big ﬂ avors and a huge following

are now being enjoyed by airport travelers. Primanti Bros., a

Pittsburgh icon with sandwiches piled high with coleslaw and

fries, will open a restaurant at the airport in Spring 2019. Voodoo

Brewery was featured in a pop-up pub in Concourse C where

travelers could enjoy a variety of craft beers brewed in the city’s

Homestead neighborhood. From Squirrel Hill’s own Gaby et

Jules macarons to the Strip Market, authentic Pittsburgh can be

seen everywhere in the terminal. Penn Brewery beers made right

in the region can now be sampled in the terminal. Steel Cactus,

Marathon Diner, Commonwealth Press, and other local brands

are all creating a sense of place at the airport.

Art in the Airport Enhances the Traveler Experience

Art at Pittsburgh International Airport is varied, from local and

regional artists and those with national and international acclaim

to visual arts and live performances.

One of the most notable pieces is “Pittsburgh,” a mobile by

internationally renowned artist Alexander Calder. When it’s not

traveling for display in other locations, it hangs magniﬁ cently

in the rotunda of the Airside Terminal and is often the subject

of art tours.

Much of the art in the airport changes quarterly or is on exhibit

for a designated period of time. A few highlights of the past year

and upcoming features include:

• Caricature artist Kirsten Ervin brings her folk-art style to sketch

passenger portraits Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

• Two sculptures by Thaddeus Mosley are exhibited in the

Center Core in conjunction with the Carnegie International,

one of the longest-running exhibitions of contemporary art

in the U.S. The Mosley sculptures will be on exhibit through

March 25, 2019.

• A new mural, Same, Same but Diﬀ erent by Detroit artist Ann

Lewis, was installed near the long-term parking lot to assist

with pedestrian way-ﬁ nding.

• Flight: Made of painted aluminum by Carnegie Mellon

University graduate students Michael Neumann and Shohei

Katayama, it was installed outside Door No. 3 on the baggage

claim level.

• A permanent art gallery on the Airside Mezzanine level is

currently being planned.

This past year, Pittsburgh International partnered with the Oﬃ ce

of Public Art at the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council to welcome

its ﬁ rst artist-in-residence, Blaine Siegel.

PITTSBURGH REGIONAL TRAVEL COOPERATIVE

REAL ESTATE

DEVELOPMENT

2626

Pittsburgh’s Golden Frontier

If downtown is the city’s golden triangle, then the more than

3,000 developable acres owned and managed by the Airport

Authority may be the county’s golden frontier.

Plentiful, aﬀ ordable and proximate to the region’s thriving

ﬁ nancial, high-tech, medical and educational communities—

as well as the new Royal Dutch Shell ethane cracker plant

under construction in Beaver County—the land surrounding

Pittsburgh International Airport is poised to emerge over the

next several decades as one of the world’s leading aviation-

driven business centers.

One of the ﬁ rst steps in that journey took place this year, with the

December groundbreaking of the Pittsburgh Airport Innovation

Center (PAIC). Set on 195 acres in the region’s only designed

free-trade zone, the campus is slated over the next 10 years to

host 1.4 million square-feet of oﬃ ce space, R&D facilities, and

advanced manufacturing facilities, all built around a town center

with shopping, dining and entertainment attractions.

And that’s just the beginning. The Authority is working with

community leaders and economic development agencies—as

well as visionaries from local corporations, universities, and

medical, energy and technology companies—to secure a future

that unites the region’s strengths for all land under its care.

To date, ﬁ ve business parks have been built on airport land,

employing 6,000 people. Under the Authority’s direction, and

with the support of its partners, Pittsburghers can expect many

new opportunities to follow.

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

2727

A Closer Look at Developments

Dick’s Sporting Goods

• World Headquarters

Pittsburgh International Business Park at Cherrington

• Tenants: ServiceLink and Mastech among others

Airside Business Park

• Tenants: Michael Baker International, Canon, Viola Water

Clinton Commerce Park

• Tenants: Knepper Press, Post-Gazette, FedEx Ground

• Al. Neyer recently completed a 265,000 building and

have also entered into development agreements on the

remaining parcels with plans to construct as much as 1

million square feet industrial space in coming years.

Industry Drive

• Tenants: Thermo Fisher, Under Armor, CH2M Hill

• PerkinElmer recently moved into new 21,000 square

foot lab/oﬃ ces

McClaren Road Business Park

• The site has been designed for 410,000 square feet of

oﬃ ce space and is awaiting state environmental approval.

Pittsburgh Airport Innovation Center (World Trade Center)

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

2828

Planning for Tomorrow and Beyond

Sitting at one of the highest points in Allegheny County and a

mere nine miles from Downtown Pittsburgh, Allegheny County

Airport (AGC) in West Miﬄ in is a key component in meeting the

aviation needs of the region and is the gateway to Pittsburgh for

corporate executives.

With several companies basing their corporate jets at hangars at

AGC, total operations were 57,587 in 2018, placing it among the

busiest airports in Pennsylvania. .

ACAA currently is preparing AGC for the future through the

development of a master plan. The AGC Master Plan Update

documents the existing conditions and facilities at the airport,

forecasts the expected aviation activity levels at the airport for

the next 20 years, and plans the facilities and infrastructure

needed to support that activity. In addition, the proposed

development ensures the Airport is operating under the most

current Federal Aviation Administration guidelines, which support

a safe and eﬃ cient airﬁ eld. Some major developments planned

for AGC include the improvement of its Runway Safety Areas,

airﬁ eld geometry adjustments, and building redevelopment.

Corporate Traﬃ c and Private Pilots

Businesses routinely charter aircraft, ship and receive supplies

and products and have customers who arrive via Allegheny

County Airport. Flight training instructions are a dynamic part

of AGC with the Pittsburgh Flight Training Center located at the

facility as well as the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, which

oﬀ ers associate degrees in specialized technology for avionics

and other aviation specialties.

AGC’s Oﬀ erings Include:

• Two full-service, ﬁ xed-base operators—Voyager Jet

Center and Corporate Air

• Two paved and lighted runways

• FAA Air Traﬃ c Control Tower operated 24/7—FAA oﬃ ces

located in Terminal Building

• 100 LL & Jet A fuel available

• High/low bottled & bulk oxygen available

• Administration Oﬃ ce, Security & Operations Oﬃ ce

located in Terminal Building

• 35 T-Hangars

• 10 Corporate Hangars

• 13 Private Hangars

• Tie-down area

• On-site weather forecasts

• Avionic repairs, installations and sales

• Rental cars

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT

With several companies basing

their corporate jets at hangars at

AGC, total operations were 57,587

in 2018, placing it among the

busiest airports in Pennsylvania.

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