PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Pittsburgh International Airport has been named Air Transport World's 2027 Airport of the Year, making it the first U.S. airport to receive the international aviation publication's award twice.
Air Transport World announced its latest Airline Industry Achievement Award recipients Tuesday. Pittsburgh International previously received the Airport of the Year honor in 2017.
The publication cited Pittsburgh's transformation, including improvements in passenger experience, technology and sustainability, as well as the airport's relationships with airlines and expansion of its route network.
The recognition comes less than a year after Pittsburgh International opened its new terminal in November 2025.
New terminal part of airport transformation
The $1.7 billion terminal replaced the airport's aging landside terminal and was designed to provide a more direct trip from curb to gate.
The project consolidated security operations, changed baggage handling and ground transportation systems and eliminated the need for passengers to use the airport's former underground train between the landside and airside terminals.
Airport officials said the new facility was developed with extensive input from airlines and was intended to improve operational efficiency while giving the airport more flexibility as passenger and airline needs change.
The terminal and related facilities have earned LEED Gold certification, while the airport has also emphasized renewable energy, water conservation and waste reduction as part of its broader development strategy.
International service has expanded
Airport officials also pointed to substantial growth in international connectivity.
According to Pittsburgh International, the number of departing seats available on European routes increased from 24,192 in 2016 to 97,582 in 2026, an increase of about 303%.
British Airways began nonstop Pittsburgh-to-London service in 2019. Icelandair added Reykjavik service in 2024, and Aer Lingus began service between Pittsburgh and Dublin in May 2026.
Those routes provide additional connections beyond the nonstop destinations through the carriers' European hubs.
Domestic service remains the largest part of Pittsburgh International's network, with airport officials continuing to work with airlines on new destinations and increased frequencies.
Second Airport of the Year recognition
Pittsburgh's first Air Transport World award came during a different stage of the airport's redevelopment.
When the airport won in 2017, the publication focused on Pittsburgh International's recovery following the loss of its former US Airways hub and its efforts to rebuild nonstop service.
The latest award comes after the opening of the new terminal and a period of international route expansion.
Air Transport World says its Airport of the Year award considers factors including airline relationships, network development, passenger experience, security, sustainability and innovation.
The awards have been presented since the 1970s and recognize airlines, airports and aviation executives around the world.
Other airports that have received the recognition include Hong Kong International Airport, Singapore Changi Airport, Incheon International Airport and Istanbul Airport.
Pittsburgh is now the first airport in the United States to receive the award twice.
Award presentation scheduled for December
Pittsburgh International is scheduled to be formally recognized during the 52nd Air Transport World Airline Industry Achievement Awards in Milan, Italy, on Dec. 10.
Other 2027 honorees announced Tuesday include LATAM Airlines as Airline of the Year, Scoot as Eco-Airline of the Year and Jet2 as Value Airline of the Year.
For Western Pennsylvania, the recognition arrives as regional officials continue efforts to expand Pittsburgh's national and international connectivity and capitalize on the new terminal.
The longer-term measure will be whether the infrastructure and airline partnerships highlighted by Air Transport World translate into additional destinations, passenger growth and sustained international service from Pittsburgh.