April 30, 2025
NBAA congratulates the leaders with Allegheny County Airport (AGC) in West Mifflin, PA, which is the recipient of the prestigious Balchen/Post Award for Winter 2024-2025.
Named for aviation icons Col. Bernt Balchen and Wilfred “Wiley” Post, the honor is presented annually by the Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives in recognition of airport snow and ice control teams who have demonstrated excellence in their efforts to keep their airports safe.
Colorado’s Centennial Airport (APA) was recognized with honorable mention. The two airports received their awards in the Large General Aviation Airport category on April 28 at the International Aviation Snow Symposium (IASS) in Buffalo, NY.
Allegheny County Airport
“It’s a remarkable achievement for the airport,” said Lance Bagnoff, director of the Allegheny County Airport. “It’s a great testament to the hard work of AGC snow fighters that put in the long days and hours.”
Keeping AGC open is especially important because of a key role it plays as home to a medical air transport service and, as Bagnoff pointed out, nearly 20% of aircraft operations are tied to medical missions. “It’s not an overstatement to say that the airport plays a life saving role in the region,” said Bagnoff, adding the airport received more than 40 inches of snow last winter.
Bagnoff recalled once during a winter storm, a medical organ transplant flight inbound to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) unexpectedly diverted to AGC when the flight crew identified that it was closer to the hospital.
“We just put our crew to rest anticipating a lull after they’d been working very long hours,” Bagnoff said. “We had to run out, treat the runway, make sure that the aircraft could land safely, which it did. That’s a success story showing just how committed the team is.”
Centennial Airport
“At Centennial Airport, snow removal is more than operational – it’s lifesaving,” said Matt Smith, director of maintenance at Centennial Airport. “We support approximately 13 medevac flights per day. Patients, medical crews and emergency response teams depend on our ability to keep the runways, taxiways, and ramps safe and operational in all weather conditions.”
This past winter, the airport had more than 78 inches of snow, but the team was out there before, during and after each storm to keep the airport open, Smith said.
“We’ve distinguished ourselves through extensive planning, real-time coordination with tenants and users, and continuous investment in equipment and staff training,” he added.
Efficient Winter Operations Are Critical
Alex Gertsen, CAM, NBAA senior director, airport advocacy and vertical infrastructure, is vice chair of the awards selection committee, which includes six other industry association representatives, five airport professionals, as well as an airline and a military representative.
Gertsen noted that both airports have a comprehensive snow and ice control plan, even though as general aviation airports, they are not required to develop such plans.
“The business aviation community is indebted to the snow crews that leave their families during the periods of inclement weather to work long days and nights to ensure we can depart for our missions, land at our destination airports and return home safely, no matter the weather,” Gertsen said.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.