Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) celebrated its busiest September in two decades, welcoming 831,300 passengers. This impressive figure exceeded pre-pandemic numbers by 105.4% and marked an 8.5% increase from September 2023. This surge reflects a broader trend of recovery for air travel in the region.

So far this year, passenger totals reached 7.5 million, outpacing the same period in 2019 by 200,000. This consistent growth demonstrates a strong rebound in demand. The increase in capacity has been significant, with airlines offering 1.1 million tickets in September alone. This represents a 12.7% rise from the previous year and adds 205,400 more seats compared to September 2019.

PIT’s operational efficiency remains commendable, as evidenced by the high passenger counts over the summer. August alone saw 935,600 travelers, the highest figure since 2005, while July set a new record with over 962,000 passengers. Additionally, June achieved the largest monthly usage in 19 years, accommodating 970,800 individuals.

However, not all travelers had a smooth experience. Some faced lengthy wait times, exceeding three hours at security checkpoints during peak morning hours.

Beyond passenger numbers, cargo operations also showed promising growth. The airport recorded 149.6 million pounds of cargo through September, an increase of 9.8 million pounds from last year. Furthermore, this total surpasses pre-COVID levels by 5.7 million pounds, although it remains below the pandemic peak of 2021.

The growth in cargo operations can be partly attributed to British Airways, which currently represents 3.1% of all cargo at PIT. The airport plans to enhance these operations by fostering strong relationships with various airlines.

In addition to passenger and cargo growth, the ongoing $1.57 billion modernization project is progressing, with 72% completion. This project aims to enhance the passenger experience with a new terminal structure designed for efficiency and comfort.

As Pittsburgh Airport continues to evolve, it sets its sights on reaching 10 million passengers this year. This ambitious goal reflects the airport’s commitment to growth and service improvement.

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