North America

Hudson reopens over 200 stores in phased approach, but reduces workforce nearly 40% due to COVID-19 pandemic

North American travel retailer Hudson has slowly begun reopening its travel stores closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hudson is also bringing back a number of furloughed team members, announced the company in its 2Q financial statement. In order to preserve liquidity, the Company had implemented a number of cost savings actions beginning in March, […]

Ottawa International Airport names SSP Canada and Paradies Lagardère Master Concessionaires

The Ottawa International Airport Authority has named SSP Canada and Paradies Lagardère the Master Concessionaires for food, beverage, and retail. The YOW airport authority said that a key consideration in the decision was that Ottawa-Gatineau is reflected in the terminal offers. SSP Canada will add local Canadian brands Big Rig Brewery, Bridgehead Coffee, La Bottega […]

City of Chicago selects firm to design new, state-of-the-art satellite concourses as part of historic $8.5 billion O’Hare 21 expansion

The City of Chicago last week selected architecture firm Skid-more, Owings & Merrill, LLP (SOM) to lead the design of two new satellite concourses at O’Hare International Airport – an integral part of the airport’s $8.5 billion Terminal Area Plan expansion. Following a competitive process, SOM was selected to design Satellite Concourse 1 and Satellite […]

Munich Airport International to manage new $2.7 billion EWR Terminal 1

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced this week that it has reached agreement with Munich Airport International GmbH (MAI) to operate the $2.7 billion Terminal One now under construction at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). EWR Terminal One LLC, a 100% subsidiary of MAI, will oversee operations, maintenance and concession functions […]

LAX launches digital marketplace

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in partnership with Unibail‐Rodamco‐Westfield (URW) Airports has unveiled a number of new digital services and the enhancement of the flyLAX. com website. These upgraded experience includes the ability to pre‐order food and shop online by viewing products and menus for numerous restaurants and retail stores at LAX. “LAX is proud to once again be at […]

Stellar Partners debuts first airport White House Black Market in BWI

  Stellar Partners, Inc. brings a new shopping experience to air passengers traveling through Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport with the opening of the first airport location for White House Black Market, a Chico’s FAS, Inc. brand. Stellar and ACDBE partner Morgan Group Ventures, Inc. opened the well-known women’s clothing shop in Concourse A/B.      […]

MIA to close terminal over weekend in response to Federal government shutdown

The partial shutdown of the US Federal Government, now in its 23rd day, is having an impact on air travel in the nation. Workers have now missed their first paychecks. Miami International Airport, “as a precautionary measure due to uncertainties created by the lapse in federal government funding,” has instituted a number of “travel tips” to […]

FDFA announces “new strategic direction” with appointment of advocacy firm and executive director

The Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) Board of Directors has appointed Barbara Barrett to serve as the association’s new executive director. She replaces Laurie Karson, who left the role last September after 12 years at the helm of the industry association. Barrett brings over 20 years of high level public affairs expertise to FDFA. She […]

Fraport USA lands New York-JFK retail program concession contract at JetBlue’s Terminal 5

Fraport USA has announced it is the new retail developer at JetBlue’s home terminal – Terminal 5 (T5) at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Beginning April 1, Fraport USA will take over day-to-day management operations of T5’s retail program and will be responsible for managing all shopping and dining areas.   Fraport USA […]

Miami-Dade overhauls airport concession process

Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez has taken over the leasing function from Miami Dade Airport Aviation Department, the authority that oversees concessions at Miami International Airport. In a memorandum issued to Miami-Dade Aviation Director Emilio Gonzalez on October 30, Mayor Gimenez said that he had decided to make “certain strategic changes in the operation of the landside […]