Airport concessions revenue increases 6.4% in 2008 to USD7.5 billion
Total non-aeronautical operating revenue at U.S. commercial service airports
was $7.49 billion in 2008, a 6.4% increase from 2007 ($7.04 billion),
according to an analysis by Airports Council International-North America
released today. The data from the FAA Compliance Activity Tracking System
(CATS) database includes concession revenue from 521 airports, representing
100 percent of total passenger traffic.
"With passenger traffic continuing to decline in this challenging economy, airport concessions have become a critical component to increase non-aeronautical revenue," said Brett McAllister, ACI-NA's chief financial officer. "Airports have designed creative and innovative concession programs to serve passengers at a time when airlines are reducing services in areas such as food and beverages."
Food and beverage sales at U.S. airports totaled $569 million in 2008, an increase of 4.2 percent (from $547 million in 2007), according to the ACI-NA analysis. Retail sales in 2008 totaled $639 million, up 20 percent (from $533 million in 2007).
"Airports are increasingly becoming more customer-centric through these concessions programs," McAllister said. "More amenities are now available as passengers wait to board their flight, from nail salons and spas to fitness centers and free Wi Fi services."
The ACI-NA analysis also revealed the following:
- Total revenue from terminal services (food, beverage and retail) was $1.6 billion in 2008, up 15.8 percent from 2007 ($1.39 billion).
- Revenue from rental cars totaled $1.45 billion, an increase of 2 percent from 2007 ($1.42 billion). � Revenue from parking $2.99 billion, up 2.6 percent from 2007 (($2.91 billion).
- Food and beverage sales at U.S. airports represents 35 percent of the total 2008 terminal concession revenue; retail represents about 40 percent.
"These positive changes regarding nonaeronautical revenue reflect the fact that although traffic may be down, airports are continuing to exceed their customers' needs and expectations," said McAllister.