Wealthy Fitzgerald, govt of Allegheny Co., says Amazon Air is a premier providing for Pittsburgh Worldwide Airport – CBS Pittsburgh

MOON TOWNSHIP, PA (KDKA) – Pittsburgh International Airport has reached a major agreement with Amazon to help people in the US get their packages in a rush.

On Thursday morning, silver freight containers were packed into a Boeing cargo plane for the first Amazon Air flight from Pittsburgh International Airport.

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“We’re watching Amazon grow. Think of all of the fulfillment centers, ground transportation, and warehouses they operate here, ”said Rich Fitzgerald, executive of Allegheny Co., who was there to get started.

The airport has been chosen from several others to become the newest of over 40 Amazon Air locations designed to improve the online retailer’s delivery speed.

“We see the trucks all day,” said Fitzgerald, “and deliver on people’s porches.” You have to do it quickly. Pittsburgh has therefore positioned itself as a great alternative to some of the larger and slower operations at some of these mega-airports. ”

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The deal brings new jobs to the airport.

“Now 70 people have a job, $ 15 an hour to start, going up very quickly to $ 17 and $ 18, $ 1,000 bonus to start. And these are people who don’t necessarily need a four-year degree, ”said Fitzgerald.

The new operation takes place in a 50,000 square meter warehouse on the airport grounds.

And while the partnership with Amazon may be new, the expansion of manufacturing and freight services at the airport is not. It kept business level flight while planes were grounded during the pandemic.

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Currently, Amazon Air will make a layover at Pittsburgh International Airport every day. Local leaders are encouraged that this could grow quickly and create even more jobs.