Year In Review

ARRA Continues Weekly Calls to Troubleshoot Concessionaire Challenges

The Airport Restaurant & Retail Association (ARRA) launches into the new year by continuing to host weekly calls meant to keep airport management and concessionaires abreast of news, potential challenges and current events in the industry.

JANUARY MARCH

Martin-Consuegra Is Named CEO of Hudson

Hudson names Jordi Martin-Consuegra CEO, replacing Roger Fordyce, who steps down after three years as CEO and more than 30 years with the company.

MAY

Siegel Named RSW Director

The Lee County Board of Port Commissioners names Benjamin Siegel as the executive director of the Lee County Port Authority, directing the administration, operations and development of Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) and Page Field in Fort Myers, Fla.

AXN Hosts Virtual Summit

Airport Experience News hosts its first-ever Virtual Summit, an online educational experience taking place over two days and featuring informative discussions among airport and concessions executives.

Mullaney Named New Fraport USA CEO

Fraport USA appoints former Hudson executive Michael Mullaney as its new CEO, overseeing its developer operations at several U.S. airports

LAX Opens $478M Terminal 1 Extension

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) formally opens a new $477.5 million Terminal 1 extension that features added capacity, a new passenger check-in lobby, security screening, baggage claims and future connection to the Automated People Mover train system.

Bheodari Named ATL General Manager

Balram Bheodari is named the general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL).

JUNE

Sola Resigns, Cutié Appointed at MIA

Lester Sola, director of Miami International Airport (MIA) since February 2018, resigns abruptly and is replaced by Ralph Cutié, first on an interim basis and then permanently as director and CEO of the Miami-Dade Aviation Department.

Gentry Named CLT Director

Haley Gentry is named aviation director for Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) after more than 30 years in the Charlotte Aviation Department. She is the first female director for CLT.

Wilson Takes Over Delaware North Travel

Delaware North names Bob Wilson as group president of travel. Wilson takes over responsibility for the company’s travel business of food service and retail operations at 25 U.S. airports.

FAA Awards $8B in Grants to U.S. Airports

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awards $8 billion in grants to keep U.S. airport workers employed, construction projects going and to help U.S. airports recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

PANYNJ Announces Revised JFK Terminal 6 Agreement

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) announces a revised agreement on key terms with JFK Millennium Partners to build a new Terminal 6 at JFK, downsizing the project due to the pandemic.

JULY

Hunter Named AXN Property Manager of the Year

Dawn Hunter, director of aviation commercial management at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), is named Property Manager of the Year for 2021 at the closing event of the Airport Experience Conference.

AUGUST

HNL Opens New $270M Mauka Concourse

The Hawaii Department of Transportation opens the new $270 million Mauka Concourse at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) after three years of construction.

Washington Formally Takes Over as DEN CEO

Phil Washington takes over as CEO of the Denver International Airport (DEN), replacing outgoing CEO, Kim Day.

AXN Holds 2021 Airport Experience Conference

Airport Experience News hosts the 2021 Airport Experience Conference in Dallas, which reunites the industry with the first in-person AX event in more than a year.

Baldwin Named First-Ever AX Icon

Michael Baldwin, assistant vice president of concessions at Dallas/ Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), is named the first AX Icon, a new Airport Experience award created to honor a lifetime of dedication to the industry.

2021 YEAR IN REVIEW

HSV’s Tucker Named AXN Director of the Year, Small Airports Division

Port of Huntsville Executive Director and CEO Rick Tucker is named AXN’s Director of the Year in the Small Airports Division.

Vantage Wins $1.5B MCI Concessions Contract

The Kansas City Council votes to award a $1.5 billion , 15-year concessions contract to Vantage Airport Group at Kansas City International Airport (MCI).

OCTOBER

FLL’s Gale Named AXN Director of the Year, Large Airports Division

Mark Gale, CEO and Director of Aviation at Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport (FLL), is selected as AXN’s Director of the Year, Large Airports Division.(CAC), becoming the first woman in the post in the organization’s history.

Wimbush Named New AMAC President & CEO

Following a national search, the Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) announces that Eboni Wimbush will become its new president and CEO.

Weddig Named Executive Director of ARRA

The Airport Restaurant & Retail Association (ARRA) names industry veteran Andrew Weddig as executive director, succeeding Rob Wigington, who served as the inaugural executive director.

BOI’s Hupp Named AXN Director of the Year, Medium Airports Division

Boise Airport (BOI) Director Rebecca Hupp is selected as AXN’s Director of the Year, Medium Airports Division

PIT Breaks Ground on New $1.4B Terminal

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) breaks ground on a new $1.4 billion, 700,000 square-foot terminal project, with a planned focus on passenger health and convenience and 90,000 square feet of outdoor terrace space both pre- and postsecurity.