Modernization program to provide better experience at Pittsburgh airport

Yahoo

11-03-2025

(WKBN) — A modernization program at the Pittsburgh International Airport is nearly done, promising shorter lines, smoother travel and an overall better experience.
The new Pittsburgh International Airport is about 80 percent complete. It has been a 5-year process but those with the airport feel confident it'll be open this fall.
'It is designed to have much-improved wait times than our existing terminal,' said Chief Development Officer Paul Hoback
Hoback has been on the project since it started and led a tour Monday of the new facility which will be transformed with triple the amount of covered parking, new baggage claim and handling systems, and a bigger, more streamlined space.
'We're going to have all new equipment — all of the latest and greatest which means our passengers won't have to take out their liquids from their bags. They won't have to take out their laptops and iPads and things like that. Just leave everything in the bag and zip right through,' Hoback said.
It's a sign of changing times in Pittsburgh as the trend has shifted away from the airport as a layover. Now more than 98 percent of passengers start or end their journeys in the city.
The new design and tunnel system will eliminate the need for the current people mover system, saving money in the long run.
They're accounting for aesthetics as well with wood-like ceilings, constellation lighting and even outdoor spaces that will be landscaped in western Pennsylvania native plants. There will also be a large area for families to pick up their loved ones, a new connector bridge to link passengers to the remaining airside terminal, and new restaurants and shops.
But it takes a whole region to make the project happen. All the construction employees are from the tri-state area, including Ohio.
'All of the products here on the project site are from the region. We have all of our glass is made in Ohio, half of our precast for all of the garage is made in Ohio. So it's a significant project. It takes an entire region to build a project like this,' said Hoback.
'It provides jobs, it provides economic drivers for the regions of the tri-state area and we're really excited about that… We've seen about $2.5 billion in economic generation out as a result of this project and more than 14,000 jobs,' said Director of Public Affairs Bob Kerlik.
It's a project those with the airport say is much-needed as current passengers face small security checkpoints, long lines and breaking technology in the current 33-year-old space. When the new Pittsburgh International Airport opens, officials are confident that will all change.
'It's just a huge impact and we're very proud of the progress that we've made on this project as well as the impact we're having on the community,' Hoback said.
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