Top Stories
Optimism Palpable As Passenger Numbers Rise
Notes of optimism were sounded in this week’s industry call hosted by the Airport Restaurant and Retail Association (ARRA), with executives and guest speakers sharing news of increased travel and concessions demand. “Spring has put a bounce in everyone’s step,” noted...
Enthusiasm For Travel Accelerating, SW Executive Says
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. Speaking on the weekly industry...
Wyatt: Partnerships Crucial As Recovery Picks Up
The Airport Restaurant & Retail Association (ARRA) tapped Bill Wyatt, director of Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), for its latest industry call on the revival of the airport concessions business. Wyatt focused on the partnerships that he says are...
Global Recovery Dependent On Health Data-Sharing, ACI Predicts
Air travel recovery is underway in most major markets but will be stalled without the adoption of some sort of global health passport, Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Airports Council International (ACI) World director, said in a webinar Thursday. “Establishing interoperable...
Airport Directors Discuss Infrastructure Needs in Webinar
From the long-standing shortage of funding for upgrading and enlarging outdated terminals to the newer challenges of figuring out how to offer space for social distancing and other pandemic-related needs, airports are struggling more than ever with infrastructure...
Swelbar Shares Airline Insights In ARRA Call
One year into the pandemic and there are finally some real signs of recovery in air passenger traffic, although passenger numbers are still a small fraction of what they were at the start of 2020. William Swelbar, chief industry analyst for the Swelbar-Zhong...
COVID-19 Relief Bill Includes $8 Billion For Airports
A COVID-19 relief bill that will provide $8 billion for airports with $800 million of that total earmarked for concessions passed both houses of Congress and is expected to be signed.
U.S. Carriers Post Massive Losses
U.S. passenger airlines incurred pre-tax losses of $46 billion in 2020 and $35 billion in net losses, according to Airlines for America (A4A), the trade group representing U.S. commercial carriers. A4A noted that air cargo demand reached an all-time high in 3Q 2020....
Executives Outline Industry Challenges, Opportunities At AX Virtual Summit
The Airport Experience Virtual Summit held earlier this week brought together more than 400 registered attendees to discuss the key challenge facing airports and concessionaires. The goal was to begin laying the groundwork for recovery and growth in a still-struggling...
ARRA Call Touts Relief, Predicts Contract Changes
The latest COVID-19 relief package to hit Congress was passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and awaits consideration in the Senate next week, with many airports, airlines and partners hoping to see it pass with more relief for aviation, as was discussed on...