Passenger traffic at airlines across the country may be down, but operators of airport concessions have some reason to be optimistic, according to new data released today by ACI-NA that show concession sales per passenger are on the rise.
According to an ACI-NA analysis of data from the FAA Compliance Activity Tracking System, total nonaeronautical operating revenue at U.S. commercial service airports was up more than 6 percent from a year ago. Food and beverage sales fared well too, with sales totaling $569 billion in 2008, an increase of 4 percent from 2007.
Airport concessions are critical to increasing non-aeronautical revenue at airports, ACI-NA’s Brett McAllister says, adding that new and creative concessions programs are serving passengers at a time when airlines are reducing services in areas like food and beverages.
The data were welcome news to the more than 200 airport concessions operators gathered in Indianapolis this week for the ACI-NA 2009 Airport Concessions Conference. The meeting coincides with the first anniversary of the Indianapolis Airport Authority’s opening of its $1 million terminal where airport merchants are bringing in $11 per passenger, up $8 one year ago, according to airport officials.
-Sheila Owens, VP Communications & Marketing