Global Publication ATW Names PIT Airport of the Year; First U.S. Airport to Win Twice

Move over Hong Kong, make room for Pittsburgh once again.

Global industry publication Air Transport World (ATW) announced Tuesday that Pittsburgh International Airport is its 2027 Airport of the Year.

Pittsburgh joins a notable list of past winners, including Hong Kong International Airport (twice), Singapore Changi, Incheon International Airport, Istanbul Airport, among others. Pittsburgh became the first U.S. airport to win the award in 2017 and is the first U.S. airport to win twice.

ATW’s recognition comes after PIT opened its new industry-leading terminal that streamlines the passenger and airline experience. The publication noted PIT’s strong airline partnerships, network growth and continued investment in technology, sustainability and passenger experience needed to support the next generation of air service.

“Pittsburgh’s innovative and dynamic leadership team has transformed the airport so that it stands apart in so many ways – in customer experience, use of cutting-edge technology and sustainability. My sincere congratulations on this very well-deserved recognition,” ATW editor-in-chief Karen Walker said.

The 2027 recognition comes as PIT enters a new era following the November 2025 opening of its new terminal. A facility designed in close collaboration with the airport’s airline partners to improve operational efficiency, strengthen the passenger experience and provide greater flexibility as the region’s air service network continues to grow.

“Being named ATW Airport of the Year for a second time is an extraordinary recognition of the work happening at PIT,” said Christina Cassotis, CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport. “Our airline partners are at the center of everything we do. We are focused on creating the infrastructure, operating environment and passenger experience that allow airlines to grow their networks and connect Pittsburgh to more destinations around the world.”

Building an Airport for the Future

The ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards, established in 1974, recognize organizations and individuals that distinguish themselves through outstanding performance, innovation and superior service. The Airport of the Year award recognizes an airport or airport group that demonstrates strength in relationships with airlines, network growth, passenger experience, security, sustainability and innovation.

For PIT, those criteria reflect a transformation that is closely tied to the airport’s strategy of airline stakeholder engagement and air service growth.

International connectivity has expanded in recent years, with Pittsburgh adding and strengthening links to Europe. Seats departing to Europe have grown from 24,192 in 2016 to 97,582 in 2026 — a 303 percent increase.

British Airways launched nonstop service between Pittsburgh and London in 2019, followed by Icelandair service to Reykjavik in 2024 and Aer Lingus’ inaugural Pittsburgh-Dublin service in May 2026. All three flights present significant connective options throughout Europe and the world.

The growth reflects a broader strategy to build Pittsburgh’s international network by working closely with airline partners and demonstrating the strength of the region’s business, technology, tourism and economic markets.

PIT’s domestic network also remains a critical component of the airport’s air service strategy, providing connections that support Pittsburgh’s business and leisure travelers while strengthening the airport’s ability to attract and sustain new service.

The airport’s role as a partner to airlines extends beyond attracting routes. PIT works with carriers on infrastructure, operational efficiency, passenger processing, technology and the overall airport experience.

A New Terminal Designed for Efficiency

The new terminal is an important part of that airline partnership.

The new terminal replaced PIT’s aging landside terminal with a modern facility designed to meet the needs of the Pittsburgh market today and in the future, creating a more efficient, intuitive journey from curb to gate. It expands dining and retail, incorporates biophilic design including outdoor terraces, and builds on accessibility features designed to make air travel more intuitive for a broader range of passengers.

The new terminal’s design and operations were developed through extensive coordination with airlines, the community and other key stakeholders, with an emphasis on improving flexibility, reducing friction in the passenger journey and creating an environment that can adapt to changing airline and passenger needs.

Sustainability is another component of PIT’s long-term competitiveness. The new terminal and related facilities have earned LEED Gold certification, while the airport continues to advance energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and waste reduction initiatives.

The terminal has won numerous local, national and international awards including being named to the prestigious Prix Versailles World’s Most Beautiful Airports List 2026, being the first airport to ever earn the Universal Design Certification from the University at Buffalo Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access and receiving Uber’s 2025 Airport Smartest Space award.

From Turnaround to Air Service Growth

For PIT, the recognition provides a contrast with PIT’s first ATW Airport of the Year award.

At that time, ATW recognized PIT as a turnaround story following the loss of US Airways. The airport had nearly doubled its nonstop destinations in just two years and was emerging from a significant period of change.

The award made PIT the first U.S. airport to receive the Airport of the Year designation.

Nearly a decade later, the airport is being recognized again at a different point in its progression.

The focus has shifted from rebuilding the network to growing and diversifying it, supported by a new terminal, stronger international connectivity, deeper airline partnerships and an airport model designed to adapt as the industry changes.

Pittsburgh International will be formally recognized at the 2027 ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards in Italy later this year.

Aviation Week is the largest multimedia information and services provider for the global aviation, aerospace, and defense industries, serving 1.7 million professionals around the world.

Chile-based LATAM, was selected for the top Award for its strong financial performance, innovative management leadership, importance in enabling air connectivity growth within Latin America and globally, its commitment to sustainability and commanding air cargo operations.

Other award recipients include: Peter Foster (Lifetime Achievement), Scoot (Eco-Airline of the Year), Jet2 (Value Airline of the Year), American Airlines (Force for Good, co-presented with Airlink nonprofit), Air Serbia (Airline Market Leader), Royal Jordanian CEO Samer Majali (Leadership Excellence), Cathay Cargo (Cargo Operator), Air France-ADP Groupe (Airline-Airport Partnership) and Saudia Airlines COO Suliaman Yaqoobi (Joseph S. Murphy Award).