Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) will receive Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) funding to extend a taxiway that will be used to access a new cargo facility.
The FAA has awarded a $3.3m grant to extend taxiway A, which will be used to access the new Cargo 4 facility, expected to open in 2024.
The grant covers 75% of the total expected project costs of $4.3m.
Work on the taxiway is expected to get underway in the next two months.
Vince Gastgeb, senior vice president, corporate and government relations, said: "Cargo continues to be a key initiative for Pittsburgh International Airport and we look forward to expanding our cargo facilities to meet the growing demand. PIT is an ideal international gateway, offering an uncongested, speedy alternative to major air hubs.”
The Cargo 4 facility measures 77,000 sq ft and includes warehouse and office space, 17 loading docks and an ability to handle freight from any aircraft operating today.
"Cargo 4 will allow PIT to accept freight from abroad and distribute it throughout the eastern US, making the Western Pennsylvania region more competitive in a growing industry and positioning the airport as a leading gateway for international logistics," the airport said.
"Dedicated areas in the facility will be able to segregate goods deemed valuable, vulnerable or hazardous. It will also have the expansion capabilities to hold more equipment for special cargo and accommodate temperature-controlled goods, products that are time or temperature-sensitive and require expedited transportation to their final destination."
Airport officials said current freight capacity at the airport’s existing cargo facilities—Cargo 1, 2, 3 and A—is expected to reach capacity in the near future.
The airport in Pennsylvania, US handled around 113,000 tonnes last year, which is an increase of 30% compared with 2020 and 26% against 2019.
