Pittsburgh airport growth could help in Amazon bid

The rapid growth of Pittsburgh International Airport could be an unexpected boost to the region’s bid for Amazon’s second headquarters.

In less than four years, the airport has nearly doubled its direct flights from 37 to 73.

That, combined with a major expansion and renovation project scheduled to begin in 2019, has community leaders confident in the air hub’s future.

Experts told Channel 11 the airport's growth is having an impact beyond just the thoughts of the online giant.

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As CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council, Audrey Russo gets a pretty consistent message from the companies she deals with, especially when it comes to growth at the airport.

It's change that could help attract Amazon's second headquarters, but is already encouraging more investment in local business.

“In the tech community world and the innovation world, money comes from out of state, customers come from all over the world," Russo said. "It has to be easy to get here, it just does.”

In terms of growth, this is just the beginning.

On Thursday, airport leaders put out a request for bids to hire architects and engineers for a $1 billion renovation and upgrade scheduled to begin next year.

“Now we're starting to look for the people who are going to bring this vision into reality," said Christine Cassotis, CEO of the Pittsburgh International Airport. “The airport is actually an asset now. We're no longer a drag on the community.

“We're ready to build it, the industry is ready to accept it, the airlines are excited for it, it's the right thing. Amazon is further validation that we should be doing it.”

The plans could mean big things for Pittsburgh, with or without Amazon's second headquarters.

“I'm not worried if today we don't have 10 daily flights going back and forth to Seattle," Russo said. "That will happen naturally. When there's a demand and an influx and there's opportunities, the airlines will definitely follow.”

Pittsburgh is one of 20 finalists for Amazon's second headquarters. A decision is expected to come later this year.

In related news, on Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Office of Open Records ordered Pittsburgh to make its bid public record, a ruling that is being appealed.

In a joint statement, the city and Allegheny County said, in part: "We continue to believe that our proposal falls squarely within exceptions that protect competitive business proposals from disclosure until a final decision is made, and is consistent with how all competitive economic development opportunities are handled.”

It's unclear when the court will hear the city's appeal.

Cox Media Group