PIT Approaches Record Number of Diversions in 2025

Throughout the aviation industry, Pittsburgh International Airport is known as a reliable refuge for aircraft rerouted amid severe weather across the eastern United States – and the numbers show it.

The airport came close to setting a record for flight diversions in 2025, with 443 diverted flights landing at PIT — falling just short of the historic high set in 2018, which had 463.

Throughout 2025, PIT experienced an increase in diversion traffic as intense thunderstorms, especially in June and July, disrupted normal flight operations at major East Coast airports including Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, New York City and others. By the end of July, the airport had already recorded 317 diversions, ahead its 2018 pace and well above its recent five-year average.

“Even without topping the 2018 number, PIT’s performance last year underscores its importance in keeping the national airspace system moving as part of national critical infrastructure,” said Jim Moorhead, Vice President of Airport Operations at Allegheny County Airport Authority. “That’s something we’re proud of, and we will continue to be a reliable and resilient partner in the national air transportation system.”

Flight diversions occur when an aircraft must alter its destination due to various circumstances, including onboard medical emergencies, inclement weather and mechanical issues.

Typical diversions at PIT involve planes landing for what the industry calls a “gas-n-go,” a quick refueling stop where an aircraft lands to take on fuel and then departs again without unloading or loading passengers or cargo. It’s essentially the aviation equivalent of a pit stop.

Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration have long considered PIT a preferred diversion airport due to its inland location, robust runway infrastructure and reputation for remaining open even when major coastal hubs are closed by storms or winter weather.

Despite a nearly record-breaking snowfall last month, crews at Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport kept their runways clear and facilities and roads open. Crews at PIT worked around the clock through the storm clearing runways, taxiways and airport roads. The airport maintained three operational runways throughout the storm even as snow forced many airports across the country to close. Teams also provided smooth operations inside the terminal as well.

Last year, the three major New York City airports (LGA, EWR, and JFK) accounted for 120 diverted flights. The two Washington, D.C. airports, DCA and IAD, had 93 flights diverted to Pittsburgh. Philadelphia (PHL) and Baltimore (BWI) round out the top seven airports of flights sent to PIT.