By Bob Kerlik
Published November 6, 2023
Read Time: 2 mins
Pittsburgh International Airport’s environmental sustainability efforts continue to gather recognition on the world stage.
Last week, the Centre for Aviation (CAPA) named PIT the Environmental Sustainability Airport of the Year at its Asia Aviation Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malyasia—specifically calling out the airport’s microgrid, new terminal plans and energy efforts.
Pittsburgh was the sole airport winner. Several airlines also won awards, including Wizz Air, Pegasus Airlines, IndiGo, Volaris and Alaska Airlines.
CAPA’s content & marketing director Marco Navarria said the Aviation Sustainability Awards for Excellence use a range of data and analysis, as well as an in-depth judging process, to recognize aviation leaders making environmental sustainability a strategic priority.
“All of the winners in 2023 have shown a commitment to environmental sustainability initiatives and strive to achieve not only their own goals but also lead the industry as it heads towards a net zero future,” Navarria said.
PIT recently celebrated the two-year anniversary of its one-of-a-kind microgrid, the world’s first to completely power an airport using solar energy and natural gas produced on-site. The airport constructed nearly 10,000 solar panels atop a closed landfill on airport property, land otherwise unsuitable for development, a first for the state of Pennsylvania.
The airport is also working to become a sustainable fuel pioneer, with a goal of developing hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on-site to further reduce emissions for the aviation industry.
“Thank you to CAPA for recognizing Pittsburgh International Airport as a global aviation leader in sustainability,” said PIT CEO Christina Cassotis. “From our first-in-the-world microgrid to our goal of producing SAF and hydrogen on-site, PIT is focused on building a sustainable future and reflecting our region’s innovation right at the airport.”
PIT is also in the midst of a new billion-dollar terminal program with an aim to be a LEED Gold-certified facility upon completion, with energy efficiencies incorporated as part of the design and other sustainable features including rainwater recycling.
PIT is also helping to bolster the honeybee population by maintaining dozens of bee colonies across its 8,800 acres, home to more than 1 million bees pollinating flowers and other agriculture.
Other winners included:
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As a news service of the Pittsburgh International and Allegheny County airports, our focus is to be the trusted source of airport and aviation news, trends and ideas – not just in the Pittsburgh region, but around the world. Blue Sky News is the place where we share stories of how our airports, employees and partners are advancing the region’s role as a world leader.
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