• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

BAA Ltd. Recognizes Massachusetts Port Authority for its Critical Role in Major Expansion at Boston Logan International Airport

Posted on: Tuesday, 24 March 2009, 10:44 CDT

- Award Presented by BAA Limited on March 20 in London -

LONDON, March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- BAA Ltd., the parent company of BAA Boston, today recognized the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) for its instrumental role in facilitating responsible infrastructure development and economic growth related to Terminal B/American Airlines at Boston Logan International Airport, the site of the AIRMALL(R) developed and operated by BAA Boston.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090324/NE88192 )

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090311/NE82419LOGO )

In a ceremony conducted at the new T5 at Heathrow International Airport in London, England on March 20, BAA Limited presented Massport with a "Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation," formally naming the authority a "Partner for Progress." Through its partnership with Massport, BAA Boston has dramatically enhanced the passenger experience at Logan following the completion of a two-year, $33 million concessions development project in Terminal B/American Airlines.

"The collaborative efforts of Massport and BAA Boston have transformed a terminal that now exceeds the expectations of travelers passing through Boston Logan International Airport," said Colin Matthews, CEO of BAA Limited. "The changes have vastly improved infrastructure at the airport and have created economic opportunities for Bostonians. BAA felt it was both necessary and appropriate to demonstrate our appreciation for the unique and transformative steps Massport took and for supporting BAA's plans throughout the process."

Massport's vision and determination fueled the construction of a new concessions area within the terminal, an area that initially had formed the roof for part of the building. In this way, the project transformed what was an empty space into a revenue-generating initiative at a fraction of what it would have cost to build a new terminal. The comprehensive development also incorporated improvements to security, seating, customer flow and restrooms and was executed while the terminal remained open.

"This special recognition from BAA Ltd. is truly an honor and pays tribute to the power of teamwork and collaboration," said Tom Kinton, CEO of Massport. "We value our ongoing partnership with BAA Boston, and we are delighted with the already positive results generated by the transformation of the Terminal B/American Airlines concessions."

The renovations have added nearly 20 new concessions units to the AIRMALL(R) at BOS and have incorporated a mix of the finest international, national, and local brands - all at "Regular Mall Prices ... Guaranteed," a hallmark of the AIRMALL(R):

• Specialty Retail: Duty Free Americas, Johnston & Murphy, Local Charm, Sunglass Hut, Techshowcase, and Virgin Books.
• Restaurants and Bars: Cisco Brew Pub, Legal C Bar, and Todd English's Bonfire.
• Fast-Casual Food and Snacks: Cosi, Dunkin' Donuts, McDonald's, RYO Asian Fusion, Starbucks, UFood Grill, and Villa Pizza.
• Specialty Services: XpresSpa.
• News/Gifts: Hudson News.

Passengers are responding to the dramatic changes. Per-passenger spending in the terminal prior to the start of the project stood at $7.42. BAA Boston reported 2008 per-passenger spending of $11.25 within the terminal, an increase of more than 52 percent during the gradual transformation of concessions.

Here are some other key facts about the new Terminal B concessions:

• With the completion of the renovations, concessions in Terminal B have now grown to more than 33,000 square feet, an increase of 137 percent prior to the start of the project.

• The new concessions have added an additional 43 concessions management positions, a 226-percent increase; and an additional 169 other positions, a 147-percent increase compared to employment levels prior to the start of renovations.

• Seating capacity has increased by more than 400 percent, with space that is now able to accommodate more than 450 passengers seeking a meal or a snack.

For more information about the new concessions at the AIRMALL(R), visit www.airmall.com.

About BAA USA

BAA USA is the master developer and manager of the retail, food and beverage operations at the AIRMALLs(R) at Pittsburgh International Airport, Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, and Boston Logan International Airport (Terminals B and E). BAA USA is affiliated with BAA Limited, the world's leading airport company, which owns and operates seven UK airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow). BAA has taken significant shareholdings in international airports, including Naples, Italy. The company's core skills include airport management, retail development and leasing, property development, and project management. For more information, visit www.airmall.com or www.baausa.com.

Contact: Jeff Donaldson 412-642-7700 jeff.donaldson@elias-savion.com

SOURCE BAA Boston

Source: PR Newswire

More News in this Category