Pittsburgh International becomes first airport to partner with tech innovator Plug and Play to drive innovation

PITTSBURGH, PA--(Marketwired - May 10, 2017) - Pittsburgh International Airport and Silicon Valley-based Plug and Play announced a new partnership today that will help position the airport at the forefront of technology with the aim of improving the passenger experience and improving cost efficiencies.

"Being forward-thinking and embracing the latest technology are key goals for Pittsburgh International Airport. Airports should be leaders in the aviation industry, and Plug and Play will help us improve the customer experience and enhance operations," Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis said.

Plug and Play will identify and connect relevant start-up companies looking to market the latest technology that fits with airport goals. With ties to over 6,000 start-ups and nearly 200 corporate partners, Plug and Play drives innovation on a global scale.

"I've spent a lot of time in airports and I truly believe that innovation in the space can help to improve safety and passenger experience to ultimately make the stay more pleasant," said Saeed Amidi, CEO of Plug and Play.

Through Plug and Play, Pittsburgh International Airport will be first in line for new and innovative technologies produced by tech companies at various stages of growth looking to implement their ideas on a large scale.

About Plug and Play:

Plug and Play is a global innovation platform. We connect startups to corporations and invest in over 150 companies every year. Since inception in 2006, our programs have expanded worldwide to include a presence in 22 locations globally giving startups the necessary resources to succeed in Silicon Valley and beyond. With over 6,000 startups and 180 official corporate partners, we have created the ultimate startup ecosystem in many industries. We provide active investments with 200 leading Silicon Valley VCs, and host more than 365 networking events per year. Companies in our community have raised over $5 billion in funding, with successful portfolio exits including Danger, Dropbox, Lending Club, PayPal, SoundHound, and Zoosk.

About Allegheny County Airport Authority:

Allegheny County Airport Authority, which manages Pittsburgh International Airport and Allegheny County Airport, is committed to increasing air service, improving customer service and inspiring growth in the Pittsburgh region. Its 2016 Annual Report detailing growth and improved financial position can be found at www.flypittsburgh.com/AR16.

Pittsburgh International Airport serves more than 8 million passengers annually on 16 carriers. During the past two years, the airport has increased its nonstop destinations more than 80 percent to include 68 airports. Air Transport World named Pittsburgh International its 2017 Airport of the Year. Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast both named Pittsburgh International a Top 10 Domestic Airport in 2016. In addition, TripAdvisor ranked Pittsburgh International Airport a Travelers' Choice Favorite for Shopping in 2016.