Airport News

Plans for more than 60 premier dining and luxury retail shops, including 22 local brands, have been unveiled as part of the US$1.5 billion (£931 million) Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) project at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Westfield, the company managing the modernisation project, and its tenant partners are investing US$80 million (£49.6 million) in developing the new dining and retail programme at TBIT, the first phase of which will open in spring 2013.

“We’re investing in LAX because it isn’t just a travel hub, it’s the gateway to the Pacific Rim and a central driver of our regional economy,” said Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa. “Westfield’s development in the New Tom Bradley International Terminal will showcase LA’s distinct style and spirit, keep LAX competitive in the global market, increase international tourism, and put Angelenos to work now and for years to come.”

The Westfield program will introduce 42 concepts to LAX for the first time, including 28 new concepts never before seen in an airport environment, and will generate projected annual sales of US$98 million (£60.8 million). There will also be a 25,000ft² duty-free shopping area and three free-standing luxury fashion boutiques operated by DFS. DFS is investing US$32 million (£19.8) in TBIT and is projecting first full year sales for the airport-wide duty free concession of over US$300 million (£186.2 million).

“Today’s announcement continues the transformation of LAX to provide passengers with an experience they expect from a world-class city like Los Angeles,” said Gina Marie Lindsey, executive director of Los Angeles World Airports, the City department that owns and operates LAX and two other Southern California airports. “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 culture, cuisine and trends of Los Angeles.”

The New TBIT dining lineup includes sophisticated options that bring global flavours together for a traveller-friendly mix of healthy and fresh sit-down, casual and grab-and-go.

Outlets will include:

• Chef Michael Voltaggio’s ink.sack
• Mexican restaurant Border Grill
• Umami Burger
• LAMill Coffee boutique
• Larder at Tavern
• 800 Degrees Pizzeria
• Modern Steakhouse III Forks
• Sushi restaurant Chaya
• Lucky Fish by Sushi Roku
• Petrossian Caviar & Champagne Bar
• Vino Volo
• Short Cake
• Vanilla Bake Shop
• American comfort food restaurant James’ Beach
• One of the nation's first Starbucks Evenings outlets
• Cantina Laredo
• Marmalade Café
• Pinkberry
• Starbucks Coffee
• Drink.LA
• The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
• Scoreboard LA
• Panda Express

Featuring open, glittering glass storefronts, the New TBIT retail program will bring L.A. style to international travelers.

Brands appearing at the airport will include:

• Bvlgari
• Michael Kors
• Emporio Armani
• Fred Segal boutique
• Kitson
• Coach
• Porsche Design
• Tumi
• Victoria’s Secret
• Hugo Boss
• iStore Boutique
• Bliss

The duty-free line-up includes:

• Full-line fashion boutiques by Hermes, Gucci and Burberry and curated fashion assortments by Salvatore Ferragamo, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta and Chloé;
• Fine watches from Omega, MontBlanc, IWC, Rado and Longines, among others;
• Over 20 Beauty brands – including Estee Lauder, MAC, Bobby Brown, premier skincare by La Mer and the original L.A. cosmetic brand Smashbox;
• Spirits – from Johnnie Walker Scotch and Grey Goose Vodka to rare and exclusive “prestige spirits” – and an in-store LA-themed “tasting bar”; and
• Fine wines including exclusive assortments from L.A.’s own San Antonio, Malibu Family, Rosenthal Estate and Moraga Estate wineries.

DFS will also introduce Platinum Services Club in LAX – a highly personalised shopping and concierge service for global travellers visiting Los Angeles.

Other retail brands in the Westfield lineup include: See’s Candies; XpresSpa; Hudson; The Bead Factory; Bienvenida Flowers & Gifts; Angeleno News; RELAY; Malibu Shades; Virgin Mobile/Boost Mobile; Travel & Leisure; CNN Newsstand Los Angeles; USA Today Travel Zone; The Economist; Sanrio Surprises; Hollywood Reporter; and 7-Eleven.