Pittsburgh International Airport continues to be recognised as one of the cornerstones of the region's economy.

In 2008, the airport served the air transportation needs of nearly 9.6 million passengers and handled more than 84,500 metric tonnes of cargo. Ten passenger airlines and their affiliates operate at PIT, providing direct services to 35 cities with 160 average daily flights. US Airways has a significant presence at the airport with its aircraft maintenance facility and its newly completed Operations Control Centre. 

Southwest entered the Pittsburgh market in May 2005 offering connections to Chicago Midway, Philadelphia, Orlando, Baltimore, Tampa, Phoenix and Las Vegas, while AirTran and JetBlue began operating in 2000 and 2006 respectively.

According to an economic impact study carried out for the Allegheny County Airport Authority Economic Impact Study by Wilbur Smith Associates in 2009, Pittsburgh Airport was responsible for approximately 71,160 jobs, $2.1 billion in payroll and $5.7 billion in economic activity in 2008. 

This economic impact includes expenditures by over 100 on-airport businesses and governmental agencies, including Dick's Sporting Goods, Michael Baker Jr, and 316th Army Reserve Centre and takes into account 12,100 full-time equivalent jobs with an annual payroll of $540.2 million.

Visitors to the Pittsburgh region that arrive via Pittsburgh International Airport, spend some $1.7 million, not to mention the multiplier effect associated with this spending.

Pittsburgh International Airport's total economic impact comprises 5.1% of the estimated Gross Metropolitan Product (GMP) for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area and its fifth highest number of employees.