Tampa Airport Team Tours New PIT Terminal

Pittsburgh International Airport’s new terminal is drawing interest from more than passengers and media.

As an industry-leading travel gateway, PIT has hosted leaders from several other airports, most recently from Tampa International Airport (TPA).

“Pittsburgh and Tampa are kind of alike,” said Jeff Siddle, Vice President, Planning & Development, TPA. “We’re similar in how we operate, manage and lead so it was good for us to come here because we think alike.”

The TPA team recently visited to discuss best practices, gather information and lessons learned from PIT’s new terminal construction. Tampa has embarked on its own major projects, including an expansion of its Main Terminal Ticketing Level and Airside D project that will add 16 gates.

Tampa’s Ticketing Level project will modernize the second floor, adding 28 new counter locations, relocating airline office space, and renovating the 135,000-square-foot floor to improve circulation while incorporating the latest technology. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2029.

The Tampa team toured the new terminal and met with several PIT executives along the way, including CEO Christina Cassotis.

“We were really pleased to host them and really flattered because we do know that people are interested in this terminal but it’s clear we’re making an impact throughout the industry,” Cassotis said.

Tampa officials said the new airport better represents the Pittsburgh region of today.

“The (new Pittsburgh) airport is such a better reflection of what Pittsburgh is as a city now, primarily who the people are,” said Matt DeLoatche, Senior Manager, Design & Planning at TPA. “It’s extremely obvious the user was deeply contemplated throughout the design. … and that the airport wanted to create a facility that the residents would be proud of, and I think they did a phenomenal job of accomplishing that.”