Stories of the Year: Blue Sky News Looks Back at 2022

A year ago, we wrote that 2021 began to see a rebound in aviation activity from the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and that 2022 was positioned well for the upswing to continue. And we were right.

We’re repeating that prediction for 2023, and we hope to continue writing about the resumption of pre-pandemic schedules and the introduction of new airlines and destinations over the next 365 days, as well.

But there were other important stories that took place in Western Pennsylvania aviation this year, and we want to take a look back at some of the successes achieved by the Allegheny County Airport Authority and our community. We start off with a video and then link to our most important stories of 2022.

Thanks for reading this year, and we look forward to seeing you next year with all-new stories, photos and videos.

 

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Terminal Modernization Program Goes Vertical

A great deal of progress was made on the $1.4 billion project to “right-size” Pittsburgh International Airport, and one of the biggest signs was the installation of the steel framework that will give the new building its shape. While the pouring of foundations and drilling of caissons was crucial for the project, watching the construction rise into the air gave onlookers a real sense of what the TMP will become.

The locally fabricated steel may have been the most significant step, but it was far from the only one. Piers for the elevated roadways were installed; work began on the Multi-Modal Complex, which will house a parking garage, rental car services and more; plans for dramatic outdoor art installations were unveiled; innovative safety and medical protocols continued onsite; and experts tested the durability of planned facades, among other major milestones.

Of course, none of this happens without a wide range of community partners, including contractors and companies onsite; elected leaders at the county, state and federal levels; and the millions of passengers we serve who are getting an up-close view of the project from Concourse D.

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