World Leaders Flying To PA May Jam The Airport

Up to 60 aircraft ferrying world leaders to the G-20 economic summit in Pittsburgh next month will all need a place to park, and officials of the Allegheny County Airport Authority say those parking spots may be at a premium.

Many of the aircraft will be the size of the 747-200 designated Air Force One when the President is on board.

While the Airport Authority won't receive a full list of the incoming planes for several weeks, Executive Director Brad Penrod and authority Chairman Glenn Mahone told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that preparations are being made based on the 50 to 60 aircraft that carried world leaders and staffs, as well support aircraft and other vehicles, to the G-20 summit in London in April.

"It will be a large influx of planes, but at the same time, it's not something we can't handle. We're not anticipating any delays, and from a passenger perspective, we're expecting business as usual," Penrod said.

Pittsburgh traffic has steadily decreased since September 11th, 2001 from more than 600 flights per day to an average of 157. That's partly because U.S. Airways no longer uses the airport as a hub after two bankruptcies.

FAA says there will be TFR's in place for the event, but that they will try to disrupt the normal flow of air traffic as little as possible.

FMI: www.g20.org