Pittsburgh International Airport Celebrates 20 Years Of Service, Innovation And Growth In The Pittsburgh Region

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 1, the Allegheny County Airport Authority will celebrate 20 years of the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) in its current facility and share the vision for the future in attracting more passengers, flights and economic development to the southwestern Pennsylvania region.  A news conference will be held Monday, Oct. 1 at 10 a.m. at the Ticketing Level Landside Terminal.  The Airport will also host Family Fun Day, a public celebration on Saturday, Oct. 6 at Pittsburgh International Airport from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., which includes guided tours to the airside terminal and AIRMALL.  Event parking will be free.

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Since its opening in October 1992, the Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) has been recognized as a world-class, technologically advanced facility and transportation system. PIT services more than 8 million travelers each year and remains among the top airports in the United States and world based on customer satisfaction. 

PIT was the first airport to provide many amenities that customers have now come to expect, and today, continues to set the standard in the industry. Among its 20-year accomplishments, PIT introduced to airport terminals its award-winning AIRMALL shopping and food court concept, Kidsport play area for children and free wireless Internet access. PIT offers 155 nonstop flights a day to 36 cities.  Airfares at PIT are 10 percent below the national average.

"We are proud of Pittsburgh International Airport and its contribution as an economic generator for the region over the past 20 years," said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.  "We have a world-class airport that provides many opportunities for future property development and expansion on its 9,000 acre-site.  I look forward to its continued growth in the future and the opportunities that exist which will attract even more travelers, businesses and development to southwestern Pennsylvania."

"The progressive leadership, innovation and exceptional customer service of Pittsburgh International Airport keeps Pittsburgh on the leading edge in the aviation industry," said David Minnotte, Chairman of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, "This is our opportunity to say thanks and celebrate with the Pittsburgh community our many accomplishments as well as our plans for future growth."

PIT provides approximately 71,160 jobs, generates nearly $2.1 billion in payroll and produces nearly $5.7 billion in economic activity in the region.  No local tax dollars are used to operate or maintain the airport.  The PIT airport is fully-funded from airport users in forms of rent, landing fees, parking, rental cars, concession revenues and passenger facility fees.

Pittsburgh International Airport is operated and managed by the Allegheny County Airport Authority. Opened October 1, 1992, Pittsburgh International's Midfield Terminal brought a new vision to the region for domestic and international air travel. Designed to be the nation's best gateway to international commerce, PIT is within a 90-minute flight of 70 percent of North America's population.

For more information, visit www.flypittsburgh.com.  

Upcoming Anniversary Event Activities:

Monday, October 1, 2012:  10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

• News conference at the Ticketing Level, Landside Terminal: 10 a.m.
• Vision for the Future presentation at the Ticketing Level, Landside Terminal: 10:15 a.m.

Saturday, October 6, 2012:  10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Free Family Fun Day at the Airport: Airport Tours open to the public and many other exciting activities for children and adults including guided tours to the airside terminal and AIRMALL.

Special Exhibit: October 1 – November 30

• Aviation Models Exhibit featuring entries from Allegheny County Airport Authority employees, airlines and others will be displayed in the landside and airside terminals.

SOURCE Allegheny County Airport Authority