​The airport industry is facing a lengthening runway to recovery.

Passenger traffic is averaging between 50% and 75% below normal levels across U.S. airports. That's an improvement from the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, but now that peak summer travel season is over, traffic volumes are expected to drop off even further in the fall and winter months.

The coronavirus pandemic has subdued international and domestic travel to a trickle of its former volume, leaving U.S. airports mostly empty of passengers.

Retail has taken a hit overall, but airport concessionaires face even bigger challenges. With passenger volumes equaling only 5% to 10% of usual traffic, retailers and restaurants at U.S. airports have faced a dramatic cut in revenues, forcing many to temporarily close and furlough staff.

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Source: BISNOW
Date of Article: June 2nd 2020

​There is no doubt that the pandemic has changed everything for airport retail and food and beverage (F&B). ACI World has predicted that in 2020 there will be a 58.4% reduction in passengers when compared with 2019. This equates to a reduction in passengers of 5.6 billion for the year. As a result of such low passenger numbers, many airports have closed stores and restaurants within their terminals. Unlike the high street, the return of customers to these concessions is dependent on individuals not only being confident enough to shop again, but also for them to be confident to fly again, and therefore be in the airport environment in the first place.

​There will be “casualties” among the current roster of Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) certified companies as the pandemic continues to hinder recovery in air travel, experts say.