Pittsburgh airport officials: Airlines are struggling with sky-high fuel prices
As the U.S. and Iran work through an uneasy ceasefire, Pittsburgh International's airlines continue to deal with elevated fuel prices that show no signs of returning to earth.
Jet fuel prices around the country rocketed upward after the war began on Feb. 28, spiking from around $2.50 per gallon to $4.24 a gallon as of April 15, according to a study by the Argus US Jet Fuel Index that Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis shared during a board meeting on Friday.
Ms. Cassotis said that one of Pittsburgh's largest airline partners, United Airlines, was preparing for as much as $11 billion in financial losses from the conflict.
Pittsburgh International has contacted airlines about ways to support them locally, even if the issues are global, Ms. Cassotis said.
"We are reacting to circumstances from halfway across the world. We have to be ready, and that is one of the things that we are spending time on," she said.
Meanwhile, the airport authority continues to plan for the rapidly approaching NFL Draft next week.
Ms. Cassotis said that Pittsburgh International is prepared for an influx of first-time visitors next week, and Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin is expecting a larger-than-usual number of private flights. Pittsburgh International will have extra promotions during draft week, including a mock draft stage and podium for photos.
"We are the front doors of this community, and both airports are ready," Ms. Cassotis said.
In other board news:
• The board approved $4.2 million to replace paving slabs on two of its taxiways for aircraft, according to the airport's vice president of operations, Jim Moorhead. The repairs are routine and take place every 15 to 20 years, Mr. Moorhead said.
• The board officially authorized Pittsburgh International's operating agreement with Irish airline Aer Lingus to begin the day of its first flights on May 25, a formality, Airport Spokesman Bob Kerlik said.
Ms. Cassotis said that she will board Aer Lingus' first flight from Pittsburgh to Dublin, accompanied by a local delegation "to promote Pittsburgh's economic and tourism ties."
The delegation has not yet been finalized, Mr. Kerlik said.
• Pittsburgh International's traffic in March declined slightly year-over-year, from around 820,000 passengers in 2025 to 806,000.
Ms. Cassotis said that she expected numbers to rebound during the busy summer travel season, and the airport is forecasting a 2% increase in total passengers compared to 2025 during May, June, July and August. Pittsburgh's three international airlines - Aer Lingus, British Airways and Icelandair - had strong bookings heading into the summer, Ms. Cassotis said.
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This story was originally published April 17, 2026 at 11:22 PM.