Airport News

Airport News

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has awarded Westfield Concession Management a 17-year concession contract to develop, lease and manage food and beverage, retail and other passenger services at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Airport World Online has reported.

The contract, which consists of a two-year development period and a 15-year operational period, is expected to generate a total of US $331.1 million revenue for LAWA and will cover a total of 84,261ft2 concession areas in the gateway’s international terminals and Theme Building.

The management company and its concessionaires will invest US$81.9 million in initial improvements and US$16.4 million in mid-term refurbishment improvements to the existing Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), the new TBIT which is currently under construction, Terminal 2 and the airport’s Theme Building. 



Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director at LAWA, said, “Los Angeles World Airports is undertaking a US$4.11 billion modernisation programme at LAX to improve customer service, safety and security.


“A major focus of our customer service improvements is to create a cohesive, memorable and high-quality dining and shopping experience with a variety of new and innovative options that offer a ‘sense of place’ reflecting the Los Angeles region.



“Our selection of Westfield Concessions Management will allow us to meet the demands of today’s travellers for quality dining, shopping and other services in a timely, cost-effective manner.”



As part of the contract, Westfield is required to select the concessionaires, subject to LAWA approval, as well as design, develop  and oversee the construction of the concession spaces.



The company is also required to market and promote the concessions, negotiate and administer contracts with each concessionaire, and monitor and manage their performance. 



In particular, the agreement calls for Westfield to place a high priority on developing areas critical to the opening of the Great Hall/Core and West Gates of the new TBIT, scheduled for spring 2013. 



The Board of Airport Commissioners has also approved a conditional, five-month professional services contract valued at US$350,000 to Westfield to develop a conceptual design for concessions critical to the opening of the new TBIT areas.