Could Other Airports Follow Pittsburgh's Lead to Diversify Revenue?
Skift Take
The pandemic and the push for sustainability are forcing airports to think outside of the box. The more creative, the bigger the win, it seems. But are some of these revenue-generating ideas here for the long run or only until travel recovers?
Pittsburgh international airport recently became an island to itself by going off the grid and installing micro-grids, powered by natural gas at its airport campus in its quest to generate its electricity —and to set an example for the industry.
The move to self-powering the Pittsburgh airport ensures resiliency, lowers costs, and improves its sustainability footprint, Christina Cassotis, CEO of Allegheny County Airport Authority, told Skift in a 2019 interview about the rise of small airports.
This is just one of several projects, including a buildout for a new airport slated to open in 2025, that the western Pennsylvania airport is working on to diversify its revenue.
Pittsburgh airport and the University of Pittsburg developed "Neighborhood 91," an additive manufacturing production campus program at the airport's innovation campus. The developments connect and condense all components of the 3D printing and additive manufacturing supply chain into one production ecosystem.
Already companies are moving operations to Neighborhood 91. Wabtec Corporation, a global provider of value-added services, equipment, digital solutions, and systems to transit rails and freig
