By Courtney Dentch
The borough’s two airports brought home 14 awards, including three first-prize honors, for best concession services in a prestigious national retail competition sponsored by Airport Revenue News.
Kennedy Airport captured 11 awards, including first place for most innovative services at a single terminal at the British Airways facility in Terminal 7, while LaGuardia won three prizes — with two first-place nods for the Figs restaurant — according to a release from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Combined with Newark Airport’s eight awards, the Port Authority airports lead all U.S. airport systems in the annual competition with 23 wins.
“Our airport shops and restaurants, representing some of the world’s leading retail and restaurant establishments found in the finest shopping districts, have yet again been recognized by Airport Revenue News, underscoring the importance of providing top-shelf concessions and excellent customer service,” said Jack Sinagra, PA chairman. “Revenue from concessions at the three airports generated about $350 million in 2002, demonstrating again how our facilities are major economic engines in the region.”
Kennedy’s Terminal 7, home to British Airways, won a total of five awards, and the new design of the facility was scheduled to be officially unveiled at a grand opening celebration Tuesday.
The competition, now in its eighth year, celebrates design, innovation and excellence at the restaurants, shops and terminals at airports across the country. Airport Revenue News, which sponsors the contest, is a monthly magazine that reports on the aviation industry.
In addition to the first-place wins, Kennedy Airport was honored for best concessions program design and best redeveloped concessions program at Terminals 4 and 7; best concessions management team at terminals 3, 4 and 7; and best overall concessions program at Terminals 4 and 7. The Ferragamo store at Kennedy also won third place for best new specialty retail concept.
LaGuardia Airport won a third-place award for most innovative services at the Central Terminal.
“Our $15 billion airport investment program has enhanced terminals and improved access and has demonstrated by these awards that we have delivered services that always put our customers first,” said PA Executive Director Joseph Seymour. “We are honored to receive recognition for our first-class shops, restaurants and amenities. We share this award with all our airport partners who have worked so hard to make this possible.”
Reach reporter Courtney Dentch by e-mail at TimesLedger@aol.com, or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 138.
