When the East Coast Gets Stormy, PIT Stands Ready

Long runways can handle diverted flights of all sizes

By Daniel Lagiovane

Published October 21, 2024

Read Time: 3 mins

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On Sept. 27, two different flights were diverted to Pittsburgh International Airport within seven hours of each other. The minor issues were quickly addressed and both flights continued to their original destinations without incident.

For Pittsburgh International Airport, it’s a common occurrence that’s part of running a reliable airport.

Although the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that only 0.24 percent of flights were diverted in 2023, PIT is prepared. Those two diversions brought the total diversions to Pittsburgh to 288 through Sept. 30. In 2023, 383 flights were diverted to Pittsburgh.

Flight diversions occur when an aircraft must alter its destination because of various circumstances, including medical emergencies onboard, inclement weather and mechanical issues. Typical diversions at PIT involve planes landing for what the industry calls a “gas-n-go”—refueling before taking off for another airport.