PIT breaks ground on cargo expansion

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) broke ground on its new “Cargo 4” 77,000-square-foot facility this month as it looks to expand its cargo handling capabilities and operations. The facility, which is set to open in 2024, is designed for a single tenant, although the airport has “incorporated elements that would allow for a multi-tenant structure,” with space to accommodate temperature-controlled goods, a PIT spokesperson told Air Cargo World . The airport recently ended a request for proposal (RFP) process for the facility and soon will begin conversations with interested parties. [caption id="attachment_57132105" align="alignright" width="434"] Rendering of new PIT Cargo 4. Photo: Pittsburgh International Airport[/caption] “This new facility will allow PIT to significantly expand its capacity and capability for handling numerous types of cargo,” the spokesperson said. “The facility is designed for maximum flexibility so that tenants can provide a wide variety of solutions, whether they’re serving clients focused on e-commerce, garments, high-tech and valuable goods or cold chain.” Many of these product lines are currently driving cargo demand at the airport, the spokesperson added. Roughly 69,000 square feet will be dedicated to warehouse space, with the remaining 7,300 square feet used for office space, according to a Sept. 8 release. The facility will also be equipped with 17 loading docks for trucks, some of which will come with dock levelers, while others will be for unit loading devices (ULDs). The facility will also feature dedicated facilities for valuable, vulnerable or hazardous goods, as well as “expansion capabilities to hold more equipment for special cargo and [to] accommodate temperature-controlled goods,” according to the release. In addition, the building will have space for screening international cargo. Meanwhile, PIT’s expanded apron will be able to serve two 747-8Fs or four 757-200s at once, according to the release. The new facility is expected to generate an estimated $229 million for the region annually. PIT’s Cargo 4 project is being funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program, which also awarded the airport $18.69 million in 2019. Earlier in 2022 the DOT awarded another $5.8 million. PIT investments at a glance PIT has been working to expand its cargo footprint, with many stakeholders opting for smaller U.S. airports amid congestion challenges . In addition to the new building, Aeroterm, the airport development subsidiary of logistics investor Realterm, in 2022 announced plans to build a 140,000-square-foot cargo building at PIT with the possibility of two, 10-year lease renewals. Following completion of all planned facilities, PIT will have more than 350,000 square feet of combined space dedicated to cargo operations once all of the airport’s planned facilities are complete, the spokesperson said. “Our goal is not to be overloaded with warehouse space to ensure our market is sustainable for air cargo growth and to ensure cargo spends as little time as possible on our property," they said. In recent years PIT also welcomed Amazon Air , establishing itself as a U.S. gateway hub while Florida-based cargo and ramp handler Alliance Ground International (AGI) expanded its footprint at PIT with a new ramp and warehouse operations . PIT handled roughly 113,398 tonnes of cargo in 2021, up 30% year over year and up 26% compared with the same period in 2019, according to airport statistics.

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