AXN Virtual Conference: Shaping Tomorrow’s Airport Experience

The two-day (March2-3) AXN Passenger Experience Conference featured panels of airport directors/CEOs, major concessions companies, technology service providers discussing the challenges and the future for airport concessionaires and the airport industry.

AIRPORT DIRECTOR OUTLOOK
Panel:
Chelle Cameron, CEO, Philadelphia International Airport
Justin Erbacci, CEO, Los Angeles World Airports
Lance Lyttle, Managing Director, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
Bryan Ryks, Executive Director and CEO, Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Airports Commission

The panel of airport directors and CEOs opened the AXN Passenger Experience Conference and discussed their efforts to manage through the pandemic and provide MAG and rent relief to airport concessionaires. Lance Lyttle, Managing Director, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Brian Ryks, Executive Director and CEO, Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Airport Commission, Justin Erbacci, LAWA CEO, and Chelle Cameron, CEO, Philadelphia International Airport all discussed the importance of airports assisting concessionaires and that the CARES Act and additional federal relief are very helpful to their ability to provide relief.

Justin Erbacci for Los Angeles World Airports said they responded quickly to the pandemic and put in initial MAG relief before there were any federal relief funds. He also provided assistance with refurbishment requirements and extended terms to allow more time to figure out what to do in the future. The current relief runs through the end of June, he said, and LAWA will need to do more to help concessionaires. “Federal money is a huge help and we couldn’t do it all without it.” All of the airport CEOs said they could not provide the level of relief to concessions without the CARES Act and most recent grants, and said they must have more federal assistance so they can continue to help concessionaires.

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