b'20 PIT TERMINALSso noxious that we would have had to shut down the airportairport. Theres a real sense of pride that Pittsburgh was picked by for repainting even just a small section, he relates. That ledUS Airways to be its largest connecting hub, and a wistfulness that maintenance crews to suggest covering the bottom 8 feet of thethey want to be proud again. columnsportions more likely to suffer dings and nickswith aThat spirit was displayed by the 18,000+ people who registered different type of paint. This give and take relationship happenedto participate in operational trials to help ready the airport for throughout the design process because of the close, earlyopening day and 10,000 who registered for a Community Open partnership of all stakeholders, Hoback reports.House. The request for volunteers was issued only through Blue Early meetings, particularly with operations and maintenanceSky News, an in-house news service. teams, provided valuable insight. Its important input that youPeople care about this airport, Cassotis remarks. Although need from the beginning of the project and that very muchinvolving the community was easy, it was important to involve influenced our decision-making and documentation along thethem thoughtfully, she adds. As such, management is using the way, Sponza agrees. opportunity presented by the new terminal project to educate A simulated 3D fly-through of the project helped stakeholdersand inform the community about PITs regional impact and how it identify and correct possible hinderances to the passengeroperates, particularly in terms of funding. experience. When you look at a two-dimensional drawing, youreCassotis cites working with the community and industry as the not really seeing what the experience is going to be, Hobackmost rewarding aspect of the entire project. relates. For example, pendant lights that appeared to work well on paper proved otherwise after a 3D fly-through look at the space.Looking to the Future Community EngagementThe Terminal Modernization Program is an economic engine estimated to create 14,300 jobs and $2.5 billion in economic activity. Cassotis attributes much of the projects success to effective collaboration with the airlines and industry partners, as well asIn 2015, airlines served 36 nonstop destinations from PIT; strong community support. To engage the community was actuallytoday, that number is 62 and the number of airlines has doubled, very easy, she reflects. This community cares so much about itswhich means local travelers have many more options. Moreover, the frequency of flights and aircraft gauge have increased, and international service has returned. After a two-decade absence, British Airways is once again offering nonstop service to Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London. Its a big deal that this community has airline service that matches what it needs today and what its likely to need in the future, Cassotis comments.Its the community and a local history of innovation that made this project, she says. Its a big What if? community, and we were able to replicate that here at the airport.The new terminal is built with flexibility in mind. As it sits, physical expansionif neededcould occur both to the north and south. Facilities are designed to handle up to 18 million Replace AFFFpassengers per year, even though current projections estimate PIT With Condence will end 2025 with a passenger count of 10 million. After the new terminal opens, the existing landside terminal could ultimately be demolished; but that has not been scheduled. Until then, the airport may explore short-term lease opportunities. Once cleared, the space could be used for commercial development. Its prime real estate and well use it in the best way PFAS regulations are changing how airportsthat we can for our airport, Hoback says.protect fueling infrastructure. Argus deliversTheres always opportunity in this industry, and thats what end-to-end support for converting to fluorine-freemakes it so exciting, Cassotis says. One of the next opportunities foam (F3) with solutions that minimize disruptionat PIT is a sustainable aviation fuel/hydrogen production facility. and ensure compliance. We provide fire protectionThe airport is partnering with regional businesses, universities and other specialized engineering services for complex fuel systems. and various governmental agencies to construct an on-site plant capable of supplying sustainable aviation fuel to passenger and cargo airlines operating at PIT, plus more to export to other Is your site ready for F3 foam? ARGUSCO.COM markets. November | December 2025AirportImprovement.com'