How PIT Expanded the Concept of Innovation to Redefine What an Airport Can Do

The Allegheny County Airport Authority’s (ACAA) innovation model focuses on developing new strategies, concepts and organizations to strengthen both the airport and the community.

Presley’s Place was the first official innovation project at Pittsburgh International Airport, launched in 2019. This initiative sparked a series of projects, including an apiary, a childcare center, an advanced manufacturing hub and a workforce development program.

PIT also paved the way to the future with the first microgrid designed to fully power an airport. It created a measure of independence that enables the airport to operate no matter what power outages may strike the region.

That resiliency helps avoid situations like at London’s Heathrow Airport, which was shut down completely by a “significant power outage,” on Friday caused by a fire in a nearby electrical substation.

An extended outage at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, the nation’s busiest, in 2017 created national travel chaos. An outage at LAX the same year had similar consequences.

“I think it really goes to the airport looking at its role beyond just providing point-to-point air service. It’s really a community partner and economic development engine and one that’s innovating across a number of platforms,” said Matt Smith, ACAA Board Vice Chair and Allegheny Conference on Community Development Chief Growth Officer.

With the opening of the new terminal this year, that spirit of innovation is set to bring new benefits to passengers, airlines, employees and the community.