Staff Picks: Stories From a Year That Changed Aviation

We’ve covered a lot of ground (and air) this year – producing more than 200 stories and videos in 2020.

Along with offering a unique perspective of the pandemic, our stories have featured innovations helping to move our airport and industry forward, while also highlighting the latest happenings surrounding our airline and airport partners.

To celebrate the end of 2020, our Blue Sky News team picked their individual favorite stories of the year to share with you.

Thank you for following our coverage. We’re looking forward  to what’s next.

By Alyson Walls, Director, Communications

Writing about the Terminal Modernization Program has long been a favorite topic of mine. TMP, as it’s known around here, was first announced in 2017 as an ambitious, billion-dollar-plus project ,to build a high-tech, modern new terminal and parking complex that improves the passenger experience and showcases the best of the Pittsburgh region. The pandemic halted construction and changed the program timeline, but it also led our experts and designers to reconsider the overall importance of public health and safety in airport facilities . Our team generated innovative ideas that are now being implemented in the terminal, like UV cleaning and a new handwashing station. This story explains how those ideas were developed and demonstrates the creative, collaborative thinking that has become a hallmark of Pittsburgh International Airport. Stay tuned for more modernization news in 2021 as we continue building a smarter airport.

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By Beth Hollerich, Multimedia Specialist

It was eerily quiet on March 29, 2020. All I could hear was the subtle humming of jet engine turbines being turned by the wind. This day happened to be my birthday – one I’ll never forget. I’ve worked in aviation for years and have never witnessed something so beautiful and sad all at the same time. Accompanied by our airport firefighters, I took photos of nearly 100 idled aircraft from all angles, including from a ladder truck. While capturing the photos, I knew that this would be a moment in history and felt privileged to have the chance to document it. Not long after, those photos were shared by national media outlets. Since then, we can’t even begin to describe how happy we were to see those planes return to the skies.

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By Bob Kerlik, Executive Editor, Blue Sky News, and Media Relations

Everything we do at the airport is meant for the betterment of our region.

Many times it’s in the form of economic development – increased air service, real estate development like Neighborhood 91 or building our cargo business into an international logistics center.

During the pandemic, as flights and passengers plummeted, Pittsburgh International Airport partnered with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank multiple times to turn the airport’s unused parking lots into one of the largest food distribution centers in the region. And people came – by the hundreds  .

I couldn’t be prouder of the work our airport staff did on those days.  Even as our parking lots were empty and idle, they found a way to use that open space for the betterment of our region – and our neighbors.

The video accompanying this short story captures the essence of Pittsburgh.

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By Jeff Martinelli, Communications Manager

As a kid I alwa