PITTSBURGH – The Allegheny County Airport Authority has released its Annual Report to the community, which is an interactive synopsis outlining air service and passenger growth increases, terminal improvements and stabilized financial position at flypittsburgh.com/AR16.
The report was unveiled at the 2017 State of the Airport program Wednesday night attended by 200 people. During the program, Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis shared updates about progress and the collective vision for future development at Pittsburgh International and Allegheny County Airport.
“The flight and passenger increases speak for themselves and the recognition by Air Transport World magazine to name Pittsburgh as the 2017 Airport of the Year is a well-deserved tribute to the hard work by the Airport Authority staff,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, who also spoke.
Cassotis said Pittsburgh International Airport has gained momentum and turned the corner, outlining an 80 percent increase in nonstop flights over the past two years, a three-year trend of increasing passenger traffic and four years of lowering costs to airlines.
“We have left behind the declines of the past to become a thriving origin-and-destination airport that reflects our revitalized region,” Cassotis said. “We know we have more work to do, but we want to thank the community for your support and help everyone understand how you have been part of our success.”
Cassotis also summarized future plans for Pittsburgh International and Allegheny County Airport; ongoing real estate development plans for airport property in relation to new investments in the region; as well as partnerships to expose local elementary, high school and college students to careers in aviation.
Additionally, the Airport Authority welcomed a panel of airline representatives from low cost, regional and network carriers – Matthew R. Maguire, CEO of OneJet; Keith Sisson, Chief Marketing Officer of Southern Airways Express; Rhett D. Workman, Managing Director, Government & Airport Affairs for American Airlines; Kevin Sullivan, Senior Manager, Corporate Sales, Southwest Airlines; and Mark Kopczak, Vice President of Network Planning for Spirit Airlines, which announced new nonstop service to seven cities from Pittsburgh International earlier this week.
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.