Airport Revenue News March 2013 issue

In the Airport Revenue News March 2013 issue, on Page 16, you can read ARN Editorial Director Ramon Lo’s interview with the leaders of some of the largest airport concession companies in the industry.  The gathering was the first time that any in attendance can remember that these people were together in one room for something other than an airport contract. It was an off agenda highlight at the 2013 Airport Revenue News Conference & Exhibition, serving as an enjoyable and educational time where industry heads waxed philosophical on things such as the benefits to competition, the quest for innovation, the value of inspiration and more.  It's served as a welcome respite from the usual questions on contracts, protests and trends.  Additionally, it offered a glimpse that despite the hard-fought battles, there exists a professional respect and shared mindset among rivals.

On Page 34, Carol Ward delves into the growing popularity of mobile app use by airports.  Whether they license or develop their own proprietary apps, airports are piggybacking onto the burgeoning use and reliance of smartphones as a means to stay connected to travelers and to provide them premium customer service.

Wine bars and wine offerings have graduated from being a trend to becoming a staple in many airports, so much so that all of the major operators have a horse in the race with their own concepts.  On Page 42, Andrew Tellijohn's story touches on the market-leading, nationally recognized brands, as well as the uniquely local concepts reflecting the tastes of the airport's home city or region.

The issue of passenger traffic has been a hot topic of discussion, in large part because of airline mergers and the economy. Naturally, it's because our business depends on it.  On Page 38, Ward spotlights the issue of passenger leakage whereby Canadian airports are losing passengers to U.S. airports close to the border.  Ward takes a closer look into the cause, which is not as simple as the offering of low fares, and the effects, which are not just limited to the airports.

Tellijohn puts the rise of consolidated rental car facilities, or ConRACs, under the microscope on Page 28. By bringing both sides of the table into the conversation, he sheds light on the benefits which, ultimately, is reducing busing and pollution, improving efficiencies and providing customer service. 

Finally, on Page 12, Ward speaks to Miami International (MIA) Aviation Director Jose Abreu, who will be stepping down from his post at the end of this month. Ward and Abreu reflect on his tenure with the airport, overseeing the $6.4B capital-improvement program that expanded the airport's North and South Terminals, and what he plans to do next.