Beginning this month, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will require all food service tenants to transition to compostable or reusable food service packaging. The new regulation, which applies to sit-down eateries, fast-casual cafes, lounges and catering groups, will require all food service providers to use plant-based, Compost Manufacturing Alliance-approved products that will be sent out for ..read more

Delaware North has opened a new Terminal 3 food court at FLL as part of the airport’s updated concessions program. Operated by Delaware North, the food court features national brand Dunkin’ as well as the Lauderdale-based BurgerFi, serving high-quality angus beef and vegetarian VegeFi burgers, hot dogs, fried and grilled chicken, fries, onion rings and ..read more

Editor’s Note: The June issue of Airport Experience News includes a feature story on increasing prevalence of distillery-branded concepts in airports. Below is an abridged version of the feature article. For full access to the article, please log in, subscribe, or check your printed edition of the June issue. In fall of 2023, SSP America debuted a new bar from local business Boston Harbor Distillery in Terminal E at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), offering classic pub fare alongside an extensive cocktail menu. The bar is one of the latest distillery-branded concepts to open in an ai ..read more

    Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) has launched its latest airport lounge — Terminal 2’s Centurion Lounge by American Express. The 12,000 square-foot space with views of the airfield and Potomac River is open seven days a week, offering travelers dedicated workstations, restrooms, shower facilities, high-speed WiFi as well as premium food and beverages. Designed in collaboration with local Washington, D.C.-based artists, the lounge features a lantern-based ceiling sculpture in reference to the city’s original 1791 boundary lines as well as a mixed media piece by Cl ..read more

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has created a new Energy Advisory Council. The council, part of YVR’s Roadmap to Net Zero initiative, will produce a report outlining the actions necessary for the airport to achieve net zero carbon by 2050.  Bob Elton, former president and CEO of BC Hydro, will serve as the council’s chair. Prior to his appointment, Elton served in various leadership roles at Price Waterhouse and Vancity Savings Credit Union; as an adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia Sauder School of Business and as a member of the Canada Electricity Advisory Coun ..read more

Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) has announced a swath of new concessions, entertainment and retail concepts as part of its Terminal Concession Program Transition. DTW will open 12 new retail shops, six restaurants and two video game lounges as current concessions contracts expire over the next two years.  The concepts will be managed by a mix of operators: Paradies Lagardère, Delaware North, Gameway, Inc. and WH Smith North America. Paradies Lagardère’s future concessions include store-within-a-store 313 Exchange/Dylan’s Candy Bar, which combines Michigan-themed news, con ..read more

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners has approved an agreement finalizing the opening date of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)’s new Automated People Mover (APM) train. The project is now slated to complete construction by December 2025 with service scheduled to begin in January 2026. As part of the board’s agreement, the train’s developers LAX Integrated Express Solutions (LINXS) will be paid an additional $550 million to cover the project’s longer than expected construction timeline. The APM — which is projected to serve 30 million passengers annually — will offer free, 24 ..read more

The International Association of Airport and Duty Free Stores (IAADFS) has announced its latest board of elected officers. Rene Riedi of Avolta will serve as the board’s chairman, with Erasmo Orillac of Motta Internacional to serve as vice-chair and Michael Halpern of International Shoppes as treasurer and audit chair. Joining Riedi, Orillac and Halpern on the board are Lisa Bauer of Starboard; Nuno do Amaral of Aer Rianta; Greg Ford of Pernod Ricard; Felipe Grant of Puig Travel Retail Americas; Mark Mariani of 3Sixty Duty Free; Julia Seve of L’Oréal Travel Retail Americas; Markus Suter of Li ..read more

The Port of Oakland appointed Doug Mansel as the new acting assistant director of aviation at San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport (OAK). Mansel, who has been working for the Port of Oakland since 2000, will be responsible for aviation security, terminal services and airside operations, as well as the parking and ground transportation departments at OAK.  Prior to assuming his current position, Mansel worked in the airport’s aviation planning and development department before being promoted to airside operations superintendent in 2006 and OAK’s aviation security manager in 2010 ..read more

New food, beverage and retail leasing opportunities are coming to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). MarketPlace PHL, LLC — which, along with the City of Philadelphia, operates the airport’s concessions program — will host a Leasing Opportunities Outreach Event on July 31 at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott. The airport welcomes as many as 28.1 million passengers annually, a number that officials posited would only increase in anticipation of the United States Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026.  “This year’s outreach allows Philly favorites, as well as regional and national retai ..read more