AIRMALL Pittsburgh Unveils Plans for $10 Million Upgrade to Award-Winning Concessions Program at Pittsburgh International Airport

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- AIRMALL® USA, the leading airport concessions developer in North America and operator of the AIRMALL at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), has unveiled an aggressive plan to reshape the award-winning concessions program at PIT at a time when the facility is marking its 20^th anniversary of operation.  The $10-million upgrade will create a new retail core in the Center Core of the airport's airside terminal, a move that is aimed at attracting some of the nation's top brands.  The Allegheny County Airport Authority board of directors recently approved the plan, which represents the most significant refurbishment of the concessions program since it began in 1992.

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"Pittsburgh International Airport remains a critical component of this region's ongoing economic vitality and is an amenity that we want to continue to invest in for our future," said Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.  "PIT is a true gateway to western Pennsylvania, and an upgraded concessions program will improve traveler's experiences whether they are visiting here or call this area home."

"At Pittsburgh International Airport, we are proud to have been innovators in airport concessions since we opened our doors in the fall of 1992," stated David Minnotte, chairman, Allegheny County Airport Authority.  "These plans ensure that we will retain that position and set new standards in the industry." 

AIRMALL Pittsburgh's plan to reconfigure the airside core of shops and restaurants is directly related to a change in passenger traffic.  When it began operations, Pittsburgh International Airport served a large number of passengers who had a layover.  In line with this, AIRMALL established a retail core between corridors A and B, where the majority of passengers were making their transfers. 

"AIRMALL's proposal will change the face of the airside terminal by placing retail units front and center when passengers come up the escalator and arrive at the airside terminal.  Top retailers will soon be setting up shop in the space currently occupied by the Flight Information Display Screens (FIDS)," said Jay Kruisselbrink, vice president of development for AIRMALL USA.  "This will put the stores squarely in the path of millions of high-value consumers every year, and that will help drive revenue for the airport authority." 

AIRMALL's plan calls for the addition of seven units for a total of 74 shops, restaurants, bars and other retail establishments throughout the airport.  Once the program is fully operational, AIRMALL expects the enhanced concessions will grow annual revenue by as much as 10 to 20 percent over current figures.

"We're excited about the changes ahead and how they will add to a concessions program that has been the industry hallmark since it opened," said Kruisselbrink.  "At the same time, what will not change is our promise to passengers of 'Regular Mall Pricing… Guaranteed.'  We broke new ground with that concept two decades ago, and it means something to the traveling public – quality goods and services at a fair price."

The agreement to build new concessions also comes with a contract extension for AIRMALL, which will now serve as the concessions developer at the airport through 2029. 

Construction on the units in the new retail core is expected to be complete by the end of 2013. 

For more information on AIRMALL USA, visit www.airmallusa.com.   

About AIRMALL® USA
AIRMALL® USA is the developer and manager of the retail, food and beverage operations at Pittsburgh International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport (Terminals B and E), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, and Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.  The leading airport concessions model in North America, AIRMALL USA continues to boast among the highest per-passenger spends on the continent and consistently receives accolades for innovation and customer service.  AIRMALL USA is owned by Prospect Capital Corporation, a leading New York investment company founded in 1988.  For more information on AIRMALL USA, visit www.airmallusa.com. 

SOURCE AIRMALL USA