Page 20 - TFWA World Exhibit 2024 Special Edition

INSIDER

As Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) transforms from a hub operation to an origin- destination airport,
it is catering to a completely different passenger mix. And with the opening of PIT’s $1.57 billion Terminal
Modernization Program set for next year, Bryan Dietz, senior vice president for Air Service and Commercial
Development at PIT, talks with TMI about the changes taking place in its commercial concessions.

PIT: adapting the airport offer to a new consumer

With the “new” Pittsburgh that over half of our traffic are visiting
International Airport (PIT) slated to open Pittsburgh from elsewhere, we needed to
by the end of 2025, fliers are already add that right mix of global and national
getting to enjoy a wave of new concessions brands as well,” Dietz continues.
this year that will create one of the largest Dietz stresses that his team makes a
additions of new businesses to the airport big effort to understand the PIT passenger
in over a decade. and what they want but weren’t getting.
In July, PIT announced that it is “Look at F&B. When this airport
adding 15 local, national and global brands was designed, airlines still served meals
as part of its expansion of its stores and and food on aircraft, and at the same time,
restaurants. The new concessions will people were passing through quite quickly.
include a vibrant mix of shopping from So while food options weren’t as much a
fashion to cosmetics and gifts, along with priority then, now food and beverage is one
additional healthy quick service dining Bryan Dietz, senior vice president for Air of the top areas that we needed to provide.
and on-trend sit-down restaurants/bars, Service and Commercial Development at PIT About one in three of our passengers are
some with fantastic airfield views, says the departing in the morning, for example, so
airport announcement. originally -- which was to serve the we brought in the award-winning breakfast
The new concessions reflect passenger passenger who was just passing through to restaurant Bad Egg.
feedback from both Pittsburgh-based connect on US Airways. At the time, this “Now we prioritize, and are very
travelers and visitors to the region, Bryan was about 90% of all of our passengers. thoughtful about knowing what our
Dietz, senior vice president for Air Service [Ed. Note: US Airways merged with passengers want, and offer it to them in
and Commercial Development at PIT, tells American Airlines in 2015 and is no longer a way that can maximize the revenue
TMI. in PIT). So once the airport transitioned performance here at the airport, but also
PIT’s Terminal Modernization and was no longer a hub, we’ve been make a lot of happy passengers before they
Program includes a new landside terminal working with a management team on get on their flight.”
and renovations to its existing airside becoming an origin and destination airport. In addition to the Bad Egg, PIT’s new
terminals, and the new concessions will “We started our process by going F&B lineup includes several local brands,
be in both the existing portion as well as through the new terminal building and including entrepreneurial Wexford-based
the new landside terminal, explains Dietz, recognized that we need to develop a coffee and tea house Café Conmigo, and
who says it is the needs of the airport’s new sense of place. Now that 90% -95% of national brands including Jimmy John’s,
passenger mix that is driving the changes. our passengers are beginning and ending Sambazon Acai, modern deli Stack +Press
“We’ve made a full transition from their trip in Pittsburgh, we have to have a Delicatessen, Mexican restaurant Mi Casa
what our concessions program and our program that reflects Pittsburgh and bring Cantina and Camden Food Market.
food, beverage and retail programs were that experience to the airport. But now Dietz is particularly excited about

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