Works starts on new Pittsburgh International air cargo facility
09 / 09 / 2022
Source Pittsburgh International Airport. Photo by Beth Hollerich
Work has started on a new cargo facility at Pittsburgh International Airport to meet recent growth in cargo volumes.
Yesterday, crews started work on the 77,000 sq ft facility that will allow “much-needed space for cargo expansion”.
The Cargo 4 facility is scheduled to open in 2024 and will include 69,000 sq ft of warehouse space and 7,300 sq ft of office space across two floors.
The building will feature 17 loading docks for trucks; most will come with dock levelers while others will be used specifically for Unit Loading Devices (ULDs).
Flatbed trucks will be able to access the interior of the warehouse with a dedicated loading dock, which is advantageous in poor weather.
Dedicated areas in the facility will be able to segregate goods deemed valuable, vulnerable or hazardous.
It will also have expansion capabilities to hold more equipment for special cargo and accommodate temperature-controlled goods
In addition, the building’s design includes additional space for security screening, particularly for international cargo.
An expanded apron will be able to serve two Boeing 747-8 Freighters side by side, or up to four Boeing 757-200s at once.
“Cargo 4 will enhance the airport’s ability to accept freight from abroad and distribute it throughout the United States and North America, making Western Pennsylvania more competitive in a rapidly growing industry and positioning the airport as a gateway for international logistics,” the airport said in a statement.
“The new facility will generate an estimated annual economic impact of $229m for the region.”
The development comes as the airport has reported rapid increases in cargo throughput over the last two years.
Nearly 115,000 tonnes of cargo was handled at the airport in 2021, a 30% increase over 2020 and a 26% increase from 2019, as demand for air cargo soared amid global supply chain disruptions.
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