Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) has broken ground on a 77,000 square foot Cargo facility aimed at being a major player in the International Logistics market.

The new facility, which has a planned opening in 2024, will provide much-needed space for additional development and add new technology and freight-handling capabilities to the system.

The dubbed 'Cargo 4' project will improve the airport's ability to handle international freight and distribute it throughout the United States and North America. This will make Western Pennsylvania more competitive in the logistics industry and position the airport as a gateway for international trade.

The facility is also expected to provide significant economic benefits beyond the airfield. According to the airport, it will have an annual economic impact of $229 million for the area.

“The expansion of cargo at Pittsburgh International Airport continues to be another example of the strong and growing economy of our region,” said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. “More cargo means more jobs, and I thank our federal delegation for their work in securing the grant that helped get this project to where we are today.”

The new warehouse and office building will have a total of 69,000 square feet of warehouse space and 7,300 square feet of office space on two floors. The building will have 17 loading docks for trucks, most of which will come with dock levelers, though some will specifically be 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.

“This facility is a major step in growing Pittsburgh International Airport into an international logistics center,” said Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis. “Cargo continues to be a major focus for us, and the downstream economic benefits are substantial for the region. We are appreciative that our federal officials understand the importance of air cargo as national critical infrastructure.”

The facility is large enough to handle any cargo aircraft flying today. Its expanded apron will be able serve two Boeing 747-8 Freighters side by side, or up to four Boeing 757-200s simultaneously.

Nearly 250 million pounds of cargo shipped from around the world touched down at PIT in 2021, a 30 percent increase over 2020 and a 26 percent increase from 2019, as demand for air cargo soared amid global supply chain disruptions.