Politics & Government
Local Leaders Announce Airline Fee Reductions at Pittsburgh International Airport
The fees are lowered due to a natural gas deal with CONSOL Energy.
Local government officials announced Monday that airline fees at Pittsburgh International Airport have been lowered due to revenues from the public-private partnership with CONSOL Energy for natural gas development at the airport.
The average cost per enplaned passenger was cut by 3.8 percent. Landing fees were reduced by 12.2 percent, terminal fees were trimmed by 0.3 percent, and ramp fees were slashed by 5.2 percent. The new rates went into effect on July 1, 2013, according to Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.
“By reducing operating costs for airlines serving Pittsburgh International Airport, this facility will become even more competitive and marketable,” Fitzgerald said. “Reducing our fees directly impacts the airlines’ cost and can contribute to improving air service in Pittsburgh.”
“This partnership stands to benefit not just Pittsburgh International Airport, but the entire region by financing desperately needed infrastructure improvements and eliminating the airport’s crippling debt burden,” said U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Upper St. Clair). “Reducing high gate fees is essential to attracting more direct flights here so employers, especially in the energy industry, can expand their presence and bring more jobs to southwestern Pennsylvania.”
In February 2013, the Allegheny County Airport Authority leased approximately 9,000 acres at Pittsburgh International Airport to CONSOL Energy for oil and gas development. The agreement could generate nearly $500 million in revenue for the ACAA.
During the past four months, CONSOL Energy and the ACAA have been evaluating the locations of potential well sites and water impoundments that CONSOL Energy would use to access natural gas on airport property.
CONSOL Energy projects that drilling operations will begin in mid-2014.
“By reducing operating costs for airlines serving Pittsburgh International Airport, this facility will become even more competitive and marketable,” Fitzgerald said. “Reducing our fees directly impacts the airlines’ cost and can contribute to improving air service in Pittsburgh.”
“This partnership stands to benefit not just Pittsburgh International Airport, but the entire region by financing desperately needed infrastructure improvements and eliminating the airport’s crippling debt burden,” said U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Upper St. Clair). “Reducing high gate fees is essential to attracting more direct flights here so employers, especially in the energy industry, can expand their presence and bring more jobs to southwestern Pennsylvania.”
In February 2013, the Allegheny County Airport Authority leased approximately 9,000 acres at Pittsburgh International Airport to CONSOL Energy for oil and gas development. The agreement could generate nearly $500 million in revenue for the ACAA.
During the past four months, CONSOL Energy and the ACAA have been evaluating the locations of potential well sites and water impoundments that CONSOL Energy would use to access natural gas on airport property.
CONSOL Energy projects that drilling operations will begin in mid-2014.
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