Pittsburgh Looks for Three-Fold Return on China Charter

A $1 million investment to bring Chinese tourists to the region could deliver $3.5 million in economic impact

By Bob Kerlik

Published August 2, 2018

Read Time: 3 mins

Print/Download

China is coming to the Burgh.

On Aug. 3, the first of four charter flights on China Eastern Airlines – two arriving and two departing – lands at Pittsburgh International Airport, opening a new relationship that local sponsors hope will generate millions of dollars in tourism and related economic development for the region.

Three Pittsburgh organizations – including the airport – have invested more than $900,000 to establish the first-ever nonstop commercial flights between China and Pennsylvania.

That kind of money makes some nervous, but engaging with China is exactly what U.S. markets should be doing, according to one aviation business expert.

“This is a great initiative. If you can open the Chinese market to Pittsburgh, that’s big,” said Bijan Vasigh, professor of economics and fi