As part of Pittsburgh International (PIT) Airport’s terminal modernisation program, a new baggage system has been designed to minimise energy consumption and maintenance needs. The new terminal is scheduled to open later this year, with its baggage system designed to be more energy-efficient, cheaper to operate and easier to maintain. The airport is currently operating two baggage systems – the North system used by United and Southwest Airlines, and the South system used by the remaining airlines.
Today’s PIT was built in the early 1990s as part of the US Airways hub design, with a baggage network spanning approximately eight miles of conveyor belts running between the landside terminal and the airside terminal via an underground tram. In 2004, US Airways de-hubbed, and today approximately 98% of the nearly 10 million passengers passing through the airport either begin or end their travel itinerary in Pittsburgh. These changes led to the terminal modernisation project currently underway. Sustainability and energy efficiency were central goals built into the design brief for the new baggage system, which is less than three miles in length, and is 40%-60% more energy efficient than its predecessor.
Read more at Airport Industry Review.
Originally published: October 28, 2025
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