Fraport USA’s Airmall Cleveland awarded five-year contract extension at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

USA. Airmall Cleveland, a unit of Fraport USA, has signed a five-year contract extension to continue as developer and manager of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport’s retail concessions programme.

The extension, effective from 16 January 2019, covers the design, construction, lease and management of all retail and food & beverage facilities at the airport.

“We are pleased to continue our valuable partnership with Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and city and airport officials,” said Fraport USA President and CEO Ben Zandi.

“We look forward to creating more breakthrough opportunities for small businesses and adding to a strong mix of local and national concepts with programmes that deliver a best-in-class experience for passengers and the community at large. Building on the momentum of the past year, with steady passenger growth and new air services, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport has a bright future.”

Sealing the deal: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Director Robert Kennedy (left) and Fraport USA President and CEO Ben Zandi pen the five-year contract extension

Since 2008, Airmall Cleveland has transformed the retail and dining programme at Cleveland Hopkins International by doubling the amount of concessions space to approximately 60,000sq ft across 51 units. The Fraport subsidiary has attracted numerous new and local brands to create a strong Sense of Place, including Great Lakes Brewing Company, Bar Symon, Inca Tea and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum Store.

Concessions employment has increased by +60% over the same period, and sales per enplaned passenger are up +88% to US$10.46, according to Airmall Cleveland.

The company has also been successful in creating numerous opportunities for small business owners through the Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Programme (ACDBE). These operators account for 45% of sales at Cleveland Hopkins International. Enhancements to the programme will include a new outreach and development initiative and a mentoring project to strengthen the stability of ACDBE and small businesses – designed to give them access to the resources needed to compete successfully in the open market.

Fraport USA President and CEO Ben Zandi (centre) with the Airmall Cleveland team (left to right) Heidi Slavik, Shelli Lewis, Tina LaForte and Mike Nedelkovich

“We are excited to further our work with Airmall Cleveland to enhance the shopping and dining experience for visitors at the airport,” said Cleveland Hopkins International Airport Director Robert Kennedy. “We are focused on creating a Sense of Place that celebrates our region, providing opportunities for local businesses, and delivering a first-rate visitor experience. Given Airmall Cleveland’s track record and investment in the success of the concessions program, we know they are ready and able to help us achieve our goals.”

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport officials forecast total passenger traffic in 2017 to exceed 9 million passengers, a record high since 2014.

Fraport USA is the developer and manager of the retail and food and beverage operations at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Pittsburgh International Airport. Fraport USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide, the global airport company based in Frankfurt, Germany.

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