Steer Taps Alonzo As VP
Aviation advisory firm Steer appointed Mary‑Frances Alonzo as vice president of airport commercial services. Alonzo previously served as deputy aviation commercial officer at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and held commercial roles at Minneapolis‑Saint Paul and Harry Reid airports. She will lead Steer’s effort to integrate airport commercial expertise with passenger and revenue forecasting. The hire signals Steer’s push to expand advisory capabilities for airport revenue optimization.
MIA Unveils Concourse D Plans
Miami International Airport announced a $1 billion expansion of Concourse D60, adding 17 new gates, upgraded passenger amenities, and a modernized baggage system. The project is part of the broader $9 billion M.I.A. Plan and is slated to break ground in 2027...
YouGov Poll Shows Travel Reluctance Amid Disruptions
A YouGov poll reveals that only 40% of American travelers would keep a scheduled flight, while 34% plan to cancel or reschedule trips amid rising airfare and frequent airport disruptions. Stress levels are high, with 63% citing disruptions as a...
AUS To Hold Industry Day
Austin‑Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) will host a Concession Industry Day on April 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Long Center, part of its "Journey With AUS" expansion program. The event offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at airport growth, upcoming dining and...
YLW Seeks New Lounge
Kelowna International Airport (YLW) announced a call for Expressions of Interest from lounge operators to design, develop, and manage a new common‑use premium lounge. The airport will provide a full EOI package through its website, allowing interested parties to submit...
SMF Celebrates New Dining
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) inaugurated three new dining concepts in Terminal A, marking the first local‑brand offerings in the facility. The venues—Magpie Café, New Helvetia Brewing Co., and Centro Cocina—will be operated by HMSHost under a partnership that blends national...
CHS Unveils Just Baked Kiosks
Automated Retail Technologies (ART) has introduced four 24/7 Just Baked snack kiosks at Charleston International Airport, operated by Evolvending. The kiosks feature distinct brand concepts, including White Castle, Wow Bao, a sweets theme, and a café theme. ART and Evolvending have...
Hyde Park Hospitality Promotes Carter
Hyde Park Hospitality has promoted Cortez Carter to president, tasking him with leading the firm’s airport practice. Carter, who joined the company in April 2022 as executive vice president, will focus on domestic growth of its food‑and‑beverage, retail and lounge...
PIE Taps Sprague As Director
Pinellas County appointed Mark Sprague as the new director of St. Pete‑Clearwater International Airport (PIE). Sprague previously served as deputy and interim director at PIE and brings extensive pilot experience from Comair and Spirit Airlines. He also held operational roles at...
PHL Unveils Travel Essentials Store
Philadelphia International Airport launched the Onsite Travel Essentials market between Terminals B and C, adding a new retail space that sells snacks, grab‑and‑go meals, electronics, toiletries, and a curated selection of local Philadelphia brands. Operated by PHL Food & Shops, the store also...
SFO Taps Ruckelshausen As Chief Innovation & Technology Officer
San Francisco International Airport has appointed Ralf Ruckelshausen as its chief innovation and technology officer. Ruckelshausen will oversee business applications, cybersecurity, digital transformation, innovation, IT operations, and project management. He joined SFO in 2013 after a series of operational and...
ACI World Report Shows Revenue Lag
Airports Council International’s 2024 Airport Economics Report shows global passenger traffic rose to 9.4 billion, a 4% increase over pre‑pandemic levels, yet total airport revenue slipped to $194.9 billion, 2.1% below 2019 earnings. Aeronautical income remains 3% under 2019 figures and is...
PHX To Offer Enhanced Passenger Processing
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport announced the rollout of Enhanced Passenger Processing for U.S. citizens arriving on international flights. The system, developed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, uses photo‑matching technology to accelerate the CBP inspection process. Airport officials highlighted...
PPG Opens Two Lounges At DFW
Plaza Premium Group opened two lounges in Dallas Fort Worth International Airport’s Terminal D, expanding its U.S. footprint and showcasing confidence in travel recovery. The venues include the brand’s standard Plaza Premium Lounge and the first Plaza Premium First lounge in...
YTZ Opens Pilot Coffee Roasters
Pilot Coffee Roasters has opened a new café in the post‑security transborder lounge at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ). The outlet is operated by SSP Canada in partnership with Nieuport Aviation, bringing the Toronto‑based roaster’s premium, locally roasted beans...
SFO Joins Sunflower Lanyard Program
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Program, a global initiative that helps travelers with non‑visible conditions signal they may need assistance. The program is already active in 340 airports across 70 countries, covering disabilities...
Industry Excellence Honored At AX Awards Gala
The Airport Experience (AX) Awards Gala celebrated top performers in airport concessions, hospitality, and property management, drawing more than 450 North American executives. The ceremony recognized excellence across nearly 40 categories, including best passenger service, sustainability initiatives, and DE&I leadership....
OTG Announces Leadership Changes
On The Go (OTG) announced Matt King as its new chief executive officer, replacing Jeff Yablun who moves to a senior‑advisor role. King brings over 30 years of multi‑unit foodservice, hospitality and airport‑concession experience, most recently as president of Elior...
ORF Appoints Humphrey As Senior Manager Of Airside Operations
Norfolk International Airport (ORF) has named Jerald Humphrey senior manager of airside operations. Humphrey brings more than two decades of United States Navy experience, most recently as air operations officer at Naval Air Station Oceana. He highlighted the airport’s growth,...
MIA Extends Hudson, HMSHost Contracts
Miami International Airport has secured 12‑year extensions with concessionaires Hudson and HMSHost, allowing them to continue operating existing venues and launch new concepts across the North, Central and South terminals. The extensions are part of the airport’s $9 billion Modernization in...
Avolta Launches Health-Conscious Concessions Line
Avolta has launched its health‑focused "Eat Well. Travel Further." concession line at Chicago O’Hare, with Los Angeles International and Phoenix Sky Harbor slated for later rollout. The collection offers high‑protein, plant‑based, macro‑balanced items free from artificial flavors, synthetic colors, high‑fructose...
JWA Opens Three New Concessions
John Wayne Airport announced the launch of three new concessions: a Dunkin’ coffee shop operated by HMSHost, the Harbor Exchange boutique run by Paradies Lagardère, and a Brookstone electronics and travel‑retail outlet managed by Hudson. The additions broaden the airport’s food‑and‑beverage...
PHL Opens PrimoHoagies
Philadelphia International Airport has added a PrimoHoagies cafe, bringing the South Philly sandwich staple to travelers. The outlet is part of the airport’s “Founded in Philly” initiative and is run through a partnership between The Grove Inc., ACDBE partner M2 Concepts,...
SSP Canada Opens Two Eateries At YLW
SSP Canada has opened two new dining concepts at Kelowna International Airport (YLW): Vintners Exchange Gastrobar, featuring Okanagan wines curated with sommelier Bram Bolwijn, and Ellison Field Taphouse Kitchen & Bar, a BC Ale Trail‑partnered craft‑beer venue. The launches were...
LGA Opens Capital One Lounge
LaGuardia Airport’s Terminal B unveiled a new 12,500‑square‑foot Capital One Landing lounge, developed with José Andrés Group. The lounge showcases floor‑to‑ceiling windows, a 30‑foot hand‑painted mural by Amrita Marino, and a Spanish‑inspired menu featuring tapas, wines, local beers, and premium coffee....
ALM Services Wins Contracts At ORD, BWI
ALM Services, a specialist in airport logistics, has secured two new contracts: a Loading Dock Management agreement for Terminal 5 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and a Central Receiving and Distribution Center (CRDC) services contract at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall...
SLC Launches Luggage Delivery Service
Salt Lake City International Airport has introduced Bringit, a smart luggage delivery platform that lets travelers postpone baggage claim and drop‑off. The service aims to eliminate the gap between hotel check‑in and check‑out, allowing passengers to head directly to meetings...
YYZ Expands Contract With HMSHost
Toronto Pearson (YYZ) has broadened its long‑standing partnership with HMSHost, adding six new Canadian‑focused food concepts—including Mary Brown’s Chicken, OEB Kitchen + Bar, Li, Libretto Slice Shop, Kinton Ramen, and Community by Roger Mooking—and upgrading existing venues such as Starbucks,...
ABQ Opens Six Retail Concepts
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) unveiled six new retail concepts operated by WHSmith North America in partnership with local entrepreneurs. The lineup includes Los Poblanos farm goods, Museum of New Mexico Foundation shops, Mountain Standard Time boutique, Duke City Station vendor...
ATL Launches Duff’s Deli
Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) has opened Duff’s Deli + Market in Concourse C, bringing a New York‑style deli experience to the terminal. The concept, created by Food Network star Chef Duff Goldman, offers reimagined classics such as pastrami sandwiches, matzo ball soup, and...
Bobby’s Burgers To Open At MCO
Bobby’s Burgers, the Bobby Flay‑backed fast‑casual chain, will debut at Orlando International Airport (MCO), marking its first Florida location. The outlet will be developed and operated with OTG Management, offering signature items such as the Crunchburger, a veggie burger, fries,...
GRR Taps Abukar For IT Director
Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority has named Ghassan Abukar as its new director of information technology and telecommunications. Abukar previously served as chief information officer for the Joint Aviation Security Partnership and held senior IT roles at the Cleveland...
UCG Acquires Four CLE Concepts
United Concessions Group (UCG) has purchased four dining concepts—Shake Shack, Petit Gourmet, Cantina Taqueria & Tequila Bar, and 800° Woodfired Kitchen—from MERA at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The deal expands UCG’s airport footprint to six locations in CLE and 11 venues across its airport and arena portfolio. Executives...
BDL Unveils Remodeled Escape Lounge
Bradley International Airport has reopened its sole Escape Lounge after a comprehensive remodel. The renovation, led by CAVU, adds several thousand square feet, an expanded menu featuring local flavors, and longer operating hours to serve more passengers. Airport officials highlighted...
IShoppes To Handle Concessions At HNL, OGG
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation awarded International Shoppes (iShoppes) a 10‑year contract to operate retail and in‑bond duty‑free concessions at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) and Kahului Airport (OGG). The deal replaces DFS, which is exiting after 63 years,...
ARRA Elects Bernal As Board Chair
The Airport Restaurant & Retail Association (ARRA) has appointed Areas USA CEO Carlos Bernal as chair of its Board of Directors for 2026‑27, succeeding Bryan Loden. Bernal brings more than two decades of airport‑concession experience and recently oversaw Areas USA’s...
