National Aviation Day Sheds Light on Pittsburgh’s Rich History in the Industry

Aviation has become a staple in all of our lives. But behind the ease of modern air travel is the group of innovators who have made catching a flight as easy as it is today.

Aptly celebrated on Orville Wright’s birthday, National Aviation Day is Aug. 19, and with it comes the opportunity to reflect on a century of industry progress in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh’s work in the aviation space spans over 100 years with constant modernizations that ensure the Steel City remains on the cusp of an industry that never stops moving. Although North Carolina is mostly commonly deemed the aviation state, Pittsburgh had – and continues to have – a major role in shaping the future of aviation.

Pittsburgh’s first airport was established in 1924, but it looked a lot different than the state-of-the-art terminal the region is preparing for in 2025. Bettis Field or Pittsburgh-McKeesport Airport was nothing more than a field in West Mifflin, but it was also the Steel City’s first airport.

But the new terminal project would not be possible without years of innovative ideas and leaders guiding aviation in Pittsburgh.

Careers in aviation start at PIT

PIT has leveraged its new terminal program to help provide the community with opportunities to start careers in the aviation industry. Its nationally recognized workforce development program, PIT2Work, has now graduated seven cohorts.

Initiated in 2023, this five-week, pre-apprenticeship training program, provides a fast-track to careers in the trades and uses the site of the new terminal for hands-on training. PIT2Work functions in partnership with Partner4Work’s Introduction to the Construction Trades program and several local trade unions, which helps open doors for program participants.

Two program graduates went on to help build the new terminal. Antoine Long of cohort two is one of those graduates. He has called PIT2Work “a life-changing program” that provides “everything you need to prepare for the future.”

In 2024, PIT was recognized as one of Fast Company Magazine’s Most Innovative Companies in Transportation and was also named a World Changing Idea honoree. The magazine cited PIT2Work as a primary reason for these recognitions. Additionally, the National Association of Workforce Boards awarded PIT the W.O. Lawton Business Leadership Award that same year.

PIT also has programs that give students a behind-the-scenes look at life at the airport. “Getting Ready for Takeoff” offers elementary school students an immersive aviation experience featuring tours of the airport and opportunities to hear from real airport team members, allowing them insight into careers in aviation at a young age, and showcasing the diversity of working in the industry.

“Ready for Takeoff” offers similar lessons, but instead for middle school students. Airport representatives take to middle school classrooms to introduce students to the multitude of careers available at the airport, allowing them to immerse themselves into the world of aviation without leaving the classroom.

New terminal brings a new piece of history

In fall 2025, 100 of years of aviation history in Pittsburgh comes to a culmination with the opening of a new terminal. Made to reflect the beauty of Western Pennsylvania, connect Pittsburghers to the world and serve the people of the region, PIT’s new terminal puts the passenger first, and the result is a more efficient airport experience.

The new terminal will reinvent the passenger experience and serve the Pittsburgh region as it continues to go through another renaissance.