Speaker Biograghy: Richard currently serves as Vice President of Planning for the Allegheny County Airport Authority. Throughout his 35-year career he has supported the growth of aviation at Pittsburgh International and Allegheny County airports. As a result of his past and present positions, he has acquired extensive experience in all phases of airport masterplanning, site selection studies, environmental assessments, land use compatibility studies and public involvement programmes. He has also served on numerous committees at all levels of government representing the airport on various transportation issues. Richard holds a BSc in Aviation Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He is a recipient of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Certificate of Appreciation award and the Golden Windsock award from the Pennsylvania State Aviation Council. Richard is currently a member of the American Association of Airport Executives and numerous other associations within the State of Pennsylvania.


Day 2 - 16 March
Session: Airport Design, Planning & Development

14:50 - 15:15 - Beyond the mega-hub: creative strategies transforming Pittsburgh International Airport
Synopsis: How does an airport successfully transition from one dominant carrier and 20 million connecting passengers per year to a leading O&D facility with a mix of carriers serving eight million passengers? Learn how Pittsburgh International Airport has reinvented itself to inspire regional growth and prosperity: repurposing and right-sizing staff and facilities, capitalising on unique revenue streams, focusing on operational efficiency and customer service and reducing costs through sustainability.

Audience will learn:

• Seizing opportunities to reduce operating expenses through improved asset management, energy savings and sustainability projects
• Developing alternative revenue sources to provide exceptional customer service
• Overcoming challenges of excess facilities constructed for 36 million connecting passengers, to accommodate eight million O&D passengers annually
• Sharing solutions for improving passenger experience as identified in a masterplan
• Utilising benchmarking, metrics, strategic partnerships and education to transition to a leading O&D facility