PITTSBURGH Airport plans change as hub status ends

The Pittsburgh airport would be one of the first to adopt the new system.
IMPERIAL, Pa. (AP) -- As US Airways' hub status ends at Pittsburgh International Airport, the Allegheny County Airport Authority said it plans to redesign the airport's computer systems that move passengers, baggage and planes.
Currently, those systems are run by individual airlines.
"The airport was designed to operate as a [US Airways] hub, and now we have to redesign it," said Kent George, authority executive director.
Still dominant carrier
Though US Airways will remain the dominant local carrier, George said the authority has an opportunity to make the airport more inviting to other airlines by controlling more of its operations.
The airport plans to install a "common use technology equipment" system -- or CUTE -- within the next 18 months. The system would replace airline-owned computers that operate gates, ticketing and flight display screens so that all airlines would use the authority system and pay for it as part of their rent.
With a CUTE system, the authority should be better able to handle peak travel activity by temporarily providing additional counter space and gates so airlines could move passengers to their planes if one carrier is experiencing long lines.
Early adopter
Pittsburgh would become among a handful of early adopters of CUTE systems, following the model established by McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas.
"It is kind of a growing trend at U.S. airports," said Richard Marchi, a senior vice president for the Airports Council International-North America, a Washington, D.C.-based airports association. "It gives airports a lot of flexibility for new entrants, and it lowers costs."
Authority officials say the project is necessary so that the airport can become a successful "origination and destination" facility. That means an airport that primarily serves metro Pittsburgh residents and offers more airline choices.
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