East Coast Storms Divert Near Record Number of Flights to PIT

July 8 was a typical summer day in Pittsburgh – humid with temperatures reaching 90 degrees and scattered thunderstorms throughout the region. Nothing that would interrupt flights at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT).

The story was different along the eastern seaboard, where severe thunderstorms caused hundreds of flights to be delayed, cancelled or forced to divert to alternate airports. PIT quickly became the temporary home to 18 diverted flights.

While most people accept that flight diversions could happen during the winter due to blizzard conditions, airports see about the same percentage of diversions during severe weather events in the summer.

In winter and summer, PIT is one of the airlines’ preferred destinations when weather events affect airports on the East Coast.

On that Tuesday in July, most of the flights diverted to PIT had been inbound to Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Washington, D.C. The flights originated in places ranging from Grand Rapids and Cedar Rapids to London and Frankfurt.

The large number of rerouted flights on July 8 wasn’t usual this month. Through July 14, PIT has received 79 diverted flights, totaling 285 for the year, including three international flights. That’s in sharp contrast to July 2024, when only 44 flights were diverted to PIT.

The significant increase has PIT on pace to have the most diversions since 2018, when it had 463. It already had surpassed its last five-year average of 276 by the midpoint of July.

 

The high numbers in 2018 were primarily attributed to East Coast weather events. Thunderstorms and Hurricanes Florence and Michael caused massive flight cancellations and diversions. Also in 2018, a powerful northeastern blizzard (sometimes called a “bomb cyclone”) brought heavy snow, extreme winds, and single-digit temperatures to the East Coast, effectively shutting down operations.

The following year, Hurricane Barry, as well as numerous thunderstorms at East Coast airports, saw a large number of diversions to PIT. Additionally, a powerful winter storm moved from the Midwest into the Northeast around the busy Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

In addition to weather, the airlines were experiencing exceptional passenger loads and growth in those two years causing volume-related delays that forced planes to divert to nearby airports.

PIT is a preferred choice for airlines due to its location, size, runways, equipment and reputation. It has two Category 3 runways in operation, some of the longest runways in the Mid-Atlantic region, which can accommodate aircraft of all sizes — even the four-engine Airbus A380. Because of its multiple runways, PIT also has the country’s third highest acceptance rate, or number of planes that can land safely in an hour, with 80 per hour.

“If there is a significant weather event on the East Coast, we often expect to accommodate aircraft diversions,” said Jim Moorhead, vice president of Airport Operations at Allegheny County Airport Authority. “Weather doesn’t change the expectations of PIT, always open and safe to operate. Whether it’s a hurricane, tornado, thunderstorm, or snowstorm, we’re committed to operating safely and keeping the facility open no matter the weather conditions. We pride ourselves on handling whatever comes, whenever it happens.”

The federal Bureau of Transportation reported that approximately .33 percent of commercial airline flights were diverted in 2024. With the FAA handling approximately 16.8 million flights last year, this translates to roughly 55,000 flights.

Flight diversions occur when an aircraft must alter its destination because of 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.

PIT gets the bulk of its diversions from six east coast airports – New York LaGuardia (LGA), Ronald Regan Washington National Airport (DCA), Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Newark International Airport (EWR).

Each commercial flight has a predetermined backup airport in case the flight needs to be rerouted. The airlines get to select the airport, and PIT is a preferred choice for most of the nation’s largest carriers.

“We are proud of our commitment to safety and air service,” said Bill Calhoon, PIT Airport Duty Manager. “We also recognize the role we have in keeping the traveling public safe and the national airspace operating.”

Calhoon credits PIT’s reputation as “always being open” — along with the tremendous working relationships developed among PIT operations, grounds crew, gate attendants, baggage handlers and the airlines customer service people — as why every major airline selects PIT as a diversion destination. These partnerships allow diverted planes to be turned around as quickly as possible

He also credits the airport’s investment over the last five years in Ground Service Equipment and improved communication systems. PIT’s investment includes adding mobile stair units, cargo loaders and other ramp equipment.

PIT has also upgraded its Airport Operations Center with real-time situational awareness tools, allowing rapid coordination with the FAA, airlines and emergency services. This integrated airfield management software enables the dynamic tracking of aircraft movements, diversions, national weather and gate assignments.

“Thanks to our investment and upgrades,” Calhoon said, “we have set the industry standard, and that is why airlines view PIT as a desirable location for diverted flights.”

The trend in the number of diversions is only expected to continue in the next few weeks.

“We’re just at the beginning of hurricane season,” said Calhoon. “One storm can disrupt the nation’s aviation system for days. Our airline partners already know PIT is ready to welcome rerouted aircraft and provide support to stranded travelers if needed.”