PIT’s Year-Round Preparation Keeps Airfield Ready for Winter Weather

“Always open.”

That’s Pittsburgh International Airport’s national reputation with airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration and everyone involved in keeping the national airspace operational.

When airports across the country close temporarily due to heavy snowfall, both Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport have remained open and operational – thanks to the snow fighting crews’ professionalism and preparation.

As winter approaches, the crews are prepped and ready.

“Both PIT and AGC use the warmer months to plan equipment purchases, assess equipment performance, replenish supplies and review lessons learned from the previous season to identify improvements before winter returns,” said Jim Moorhead, Vice President of Airport Operations, ACAA. “The preparation culminates with the Winter Operations Drill at PIT.”

Held, ironically, on a beautiful 70-degree day on Oct. 28, PIT’s annual exercise brought together a National Weather Service meteorologist and experts in snow removal and deicing. The collaboration helps airport personnel prepare for changing conditions and make informed decisions when winter storms arrive.

The drill concluded with a runway exercise that simulated how crews deploy specialized equipment to clear snow and ice from airport surfaces, including using snowplows, brooms, blowers and deicing equipment.

Preparation and Training

As winter approaches, the drill reinforces an important message for airline partners and travelers: reliable air service begins long before the first snowfall. Through annual hands-on training, equipment readiness and collaboration with weather and deicing experts, PIT is preparing to meet winter’s challenges, support airline partners and keep the Pittsburgh region connected.

For airlines, that preparation is critical. Snow and ice can affect runway availability, aircraft movements and departure schedules, creating challenges that extend beyond a single airport.

Nationally Recognized

PIT’s winter operations team has earned national recognition for its work keeping the airport safe and operational in challenging conditions.

The airport is a five-time winner of the prestigious Balchen/Post Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in airport snow and ice control. For the 2024-25 winter season, PIT won the award in the Medium Commercial Airport category. In 2025-26, the team earned runner-up honors in the same category.

“PIT has one of the best snow fighting operations in the country,” said Derek Martin, the Immediate Past President of the Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (NEC/AAAE). “Like other organizations such as first responders, their commitment to training and preparation is what makes them stand out. PIT consistently winning the Balchen Award is an indication of what the airport’s snow fighting operation does and its importance to the national airspace.”

The airport’s winter readiness and operational reliability extend beyond its own scheduled flights. The airport also serves as a diversion airport, providing an alternative landing location when severe weather, congestion or other disruptions prevent aircraft from reaching their intended destinations.

Allegheny County Airport will conduct its own Winter Operations drill Nov. 10. Like, PIT, AGC’s ability to remain open during inclement weather is vitally important – and potentially life-saving.

Nearly 20 percent of AGC’s arriving and departing flights involve medical operations, making safe, reliable runway access especially important for time-sensitive missions, including patient transport and organ recovery. The airport also supports corporate travel, business aviation and other general aviation operations that connect people and businesses throughout the region.

“Our snow fighters understand the importance of keeping AGC open,” said Francie Kaye, AGC’s Manager of General Aviation Operations. “They are committed to always learning and improving because of what this airport means to the region.”

The training and preparation have resulted in the airport winning the Balchen/Post Award in the Medium General Aviation category for the second consecutive year in 2025-26.

Both PIT and AGC receiving the Balchen/Post award underscore the Authority’s commitment to safe, reliable airfield operations across its airports. It also signifies that both airports, even under the most trying operational challenges, will keep medical operations and aircraft and passengers moving safely and efficiently when winter weather hits.