PITTSBURGH – Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis will join a select group of airport leaders from across the U.S. on Wednesday, March 1, in testifying before Congress about infrastructure needs and funding challenges facing medium-size airports like Pittsburgh International.
The hearing before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation, chaired by U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), is titled “Building a 21st Century Infrastructure for America: State of American Airports.” The hearing is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building.
Part of preparations for developing a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reform and reauthorization bill later this year, the hearing will focus on the current state of commercial aviation service and general aviation airports across the nation.
“I’ll be discussing the infrastructure needs and funding challenges facing medium-size airports, particularly former hubs in the heartland like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Cincinnati, St. Louis and Memphis,” Cassotis said. “We all are dealing with aging infrastructure, deferred capital projects and federal funding limitations.”
Cassotis will note how Pittsburgh International has successfully transitioned from a mega-hub to an origin-and-destination airport now served by a mix of legacy, ultra-low cost and regional carriers; how the airport has remained financially stable since dehubbing; and why airports including Pittsburgh International need Congress’ help to modernize and upgrade their facilities for passengers’ current needs.
“Nonstop air service and modern airports matter to cities like Pittsburgh,” Cassotis said. “We can do more and we must do more to stay competitive. I am honored to have the opportunity to share our success story as well as our challenges with representatives in Washington on Wednesday.”
Cassotis, will be joined by Sean Donohue, Chief Executive Officer, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport; Lance Lyttle, Managing Director, Aviation Division, Port of Seattle; Lew Bleiweis, Executive Director, Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority; and Todd McNamee, Director of Airports, County of Ventura, California.
The hearing will be livestreamed on the Committee website: http://transportation.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=401134
About Allegheny County Airport Authority:
Allegheny County Airport Authority, which manages Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport, is committed to increasing air service, improving customer service and inspiring growth in the Pittsburgh region. Its 2016 Annual Report detailing growth and improved financial position can be found at flypittsburgh.com/AR16.
Pittsburgh International Airport serves more than 8 million passengers annually on 16 carriers. During the past two years, the airport has increased its nonstop destinations more than 80 percent to include 68 airports. Air Transport World named Pittsburgh International its 2017 Airport of the Year. Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast both named Pittsburgh International a Top 10 Domestic Airport in 2016. In addition, TripAdvisor ranked Pittsburgh International Airport a Travelers’ Choice Favorite for Shopping in 2016.
AIRPORT AUTHORITY CEO CHRISTINA CASSOTIS TO TESTIFY BEFORE CONGRESS MARCH 1
