Pittsburgh International named Airport of the Year by global publication

Pittsburgh International is taking home yet another award — this time for being the best airport on the planet.

Air Transport World, a global aviation industry publication founded in 1964, named Pittsburgh International its Airport of the Year for the second time earlier this week.

Pittsburgh becomes the first airport to win the category twice since Air Transport World introduced it in 2014. The airport also won in 2017.

Pittsburgh International has debuted a whole new landside terminal since then, and Air Transport World felt the $1.7 billion complex boosted the airport in its award criteria when it opened last November. Factors include an airport’s relationship strength with airlines, passenger experience, security, stability and innovation, among others.

The new terminal features an expanded and modernized TSA checkpoint, an open floorplan and a more condensed layout, eliminating the train between terminals that added time to passengers’ trips.

Pittsburgh International also secured a new airline, Aer Lingus, with flights to Dublin that began in May. The airport’s seats departing to Europe have grown more than 300% in the past decade.

“Pittsburgh’s innovative and dynamic leadership team has transformed the airport so that it stands apart in so many ways — in customer experience, use of cutting-edge technology and sustainability,” Air Transport world editor-in-chief Karen Walker said.

Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis said in a news release that the award represens an “extraordinary recognition” of the work happening at Pittsburgh International.

“We are focused on creating the infrastructure, operating environment and passenger experience that allow airlines to grow their networks and connect Pittsburgh to more destinations around the world,” she said.

Air Transport World will present Pittsburgh International with the award at a gala dinner in Milan in December.

Past Airport of the Year honorees include Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Istanbul Airport in Turkey and London Heathrow Airport in England.