Christina Cassotis, the CEO of Pittsburgh International Airport, revealed that her team is currently holding meetings with Aer Lingus executives. These discussions are part of a broader mission led by the airport and Allegheny County board to strengthen the economic and cultural ties between Pittsburgh and Dublin.
According to Cassotis, the airport had previously engaged in talks with Aer Lingus before the pandemic. She expressed confidence in Pittsburgh’s ability to convince the airline to include the city in its expanding transatlantic fleet, which will soon include Airbus A321XLR jets. These aircraft will enable Aer Lingus to serve more US destinations that do not have sufficient demand for larger long-haul planes.
“What we have communicated to Aer Lingus, as well as other airlines, is that we anticipate a significant growth in the local market once a non-stop service is established. We expect it to more than double within one to two years,” said Cassotis.
In terms of passenger traffic, Pittsburgh Airport handled 8.1 million passengers in 2020, with just 126,000 on international flights. The numbers were higher in 2019, with 9.8 million passengers and 244,000 international travelers.
Currently, British Airways is the only airline offering a direct service from Pittsburgh to London Heathrow, operating six times a week. This route remains the airport’s sole connection to Europe.
Rich Fitzgerald, the county executive for Allegheny County, highlighted the strong economic and cultural links between Dublin and Pittsburgh, making a direct air service between the two cities an appealing prospect.
Pittsburgh, known for its steel manufacturing heritage, has successfully transformed itself into a modern city. Its economy now revolves around sectors such as healthcare, financial services, and technology. The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, a non-profit private healthcare group with a significant presence in Ireland, is the city’s largest employer. Other major employers include BNY Mellon and Kraft-Heinz.
“There are numerous connections between what’s happening in Dublin, particularly in terms of robotics, artificial intelligence, and sciences, that align well with Pittsburgh. The synergy is evident,” said Fitzgerald. He believes that establishing a direct flight between the cities would benefit both Pittsburgh and Dublin economically.
In addition to the efforts to enhance air connectivity, the Pittsburgh Steelers American football team is also planning to play a regular-season game in Ireland, further strengthening the ties between the two regions.
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