NEWS |
NEWS |
Passenger counts are increasing, which feeds optimism, but they’re far from a level that can sustain business. Airports and operators have worked together well and that hopefully will continue as they start to collectively tackle longer-term challenges facing the concessions industry. Listen now as AXN’s Andy Tellijohn and Rob Wigington, executive director, Airport Restaurant & Retail Association, discuss this and much more.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE The mobile food ordering and delivery service at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) is on a roll thanks to a new ambassador that barely sees eye-to-eye with most kids and doesn’t speak a word. Yet, it invites double-takes, smiles and pointed fingers from travelers as it rolls by on its delivery missions.
After a year of curtailed activity due to the pandemic, this spring people are beginning to reveal and act upon a pent-up desire for excitement and travel, said Steve Sisneros, managing director, airport affairs for Southwest Airlines.
Travelers are starting to fly again, offering some relief to beleaguered airport shops and restaurants after the pandemic brought most travel to a standstill.
The two-day (March2-3) AXN Passenger Experience Conference featured panels of airport directors/CEOs, major concessions companies, technology service providers discussing the challenges and the future for airport concessionaires and the airport industry.
Airline executives said they are starting to see a path out of the coronavirus pandemic as more passengers resume travel, following a weekend when airport volumes hit their highest levels in a year.
A group of Harvard health experts gave airports high marks for taking steps to ensure passenger safety, but stopped short of saying it is safe to fly during the pandemic.
|
©2023 Airport Restaurant & Retail Association
North Grove Corporate Park, 8120 Lehigh Ave, Suite 100, Morton Grove, IL 60053 Phone: (847) 324-7883 | [email protected] |