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For Immediate Release
2/21/07
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Pippy Applauds US Airways Decision to Move Center to Pittsburgh International Airport

State and local effort will retain 450 jobs, add 150. 

Moon – State Sen. John Pippy (R-37) today applauded the decision of US Airways to locate its $25 million flight operations control center at Pittsburgh International Airport.  

The airline already has 450 employees at an operations center in Findlay, and the new center is expected to add 150 employees.  

"These are good-paying, family-supporting jobs, and our region had to compete aggressively for them," said Pippy, noting that Phoenix and Charlotte, North Carolina were also bidding for the center.  "It took a bipartisan effort at the state and local levels to demonstrate that the Pittsburgh region was the best choice for the control center. Of course, we would not have been considered if US Airways wasn't convinced that our region features a skilled workforce that is second to none."  

US Airways had said it anticipates leasing the facility for 20 years, with two 10-year options beyond that. It is seeking a single-story building with at least 60,000 square feet on at least six acres. The carrier expects to have the new site up and running by early 2009.  

The center will serve as the nerve center of the airline, using sophisticated computers to monitor weather conditions, aircraft locations and flight plans.  The airline has been using the US Airways control center at RIDC Park West and the America West Airlines' control center in Phoenix since the carriers merged in September 2005.  

Senator Pippy noted that US Airways will receive grants, tax credits and loans to locate the center at the airport. 

"Those represent an investment in jobs and economic development, and we expect US Airways to demonstrate that is was a sound investment.  The airline industry has been quite volatile in recent years, but we expect US Airways to fully honor its commitment to the region and its workers," said Pippy. "This goes beyond the airline and the airport. This announcement reinforces the fact that our region is ready and able to commit to businesses that make a commitment to the area and its workers. We must use this as a foundation to attract more good-paying jobs and economic development." 

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