A new public-private joint venture has been formed to invest in and operate Bahrain International Airport’s food and beverage (F&B) outlets. Called SSP Bahrain, the joint venture (JV) is made up of Gulf Air Group Holding, the owner of all aviation assets of Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat, the Buhindi Group and SSP, an operator of F&B concessions in travel locations.
DFW International Airport to get new Panda Express, more duty-free stores
Travelers at DFW International Airport will have some new places to eat, drink and shop next year, with airport officials giving the green light on several new concessions contracts Tuesday.
First up is a new Panda Express that will take over a space formerly occupied by Genghis Grill in Terminal E near Gate E33. In addition to the chain’s American Chinese menu, visitors will also be able to purchase a drink at a bar that’s planned for the space.
It will be the airport’s second Panda Express, joining an existing location in Terminal B.
The new Panda Express will be joining the airport’s first ever Whataburger, planned to open next year, as new dining options in Terminal E.
Airport officials also signed off on two new duty-free stores in Terminal A and Terminal C, where American Airlines has begun operating some international flights outside of the main international gateway in Terminal D.
The Terminal A duty-free shop will take over a space near Gate A25 that was formerly occupied by Swarovski, while the duty-free shop near Terminal C’s Gate C10 will replace a news and gift store.
Both will be operated by TRG Duty Free Joint Venture (the joint-venture led by DFASS and Texas retailer CBI Retail Ventures), which also operates duty-free space in Terminal D. The company opened the country’s largest duty-free store covering 17,400 square feet in Terminal D last year.
Airport officials said the new duty-free stores are expected to be open by April ,1.
Both the Panda Express and duty-free stores were approved by airport board of director committees Tuesday. The full board is scheduled to vote on the items Thursday.
Source: The Dallas Monrning News
Fraport USA Sets RFP Workshops for BNA Expansion
Fraport USA in conjunction with BNA has launched its much anticipated Request for Proposals (RFP) for approximately 40 food and beverage locations in Nashville International Airport. The airport is the gateway to the City of Nashville, therefore the focus of this program will be to bring the incredible dining experience of Nashville and the Tennessee region into the airport, creating the ultimate passenger experience. This solicitation is open to all.
To help potential respondents, Fraport will conduct two workshops in which we will review the RFP Letter, RFP Instructions, the Term Sheet, the Lease Plans and Lease Outline Drawings (LODs) as well as the Development Plan. It is important to review the RFP and bring your questions to the workshops for further discussion.
Source: The Tennessee Tribune
Last orders? Morning drinking at airports faces ban
Home Office to review licensing laws following rise in arrests for drunken behaviour
Round-the-clock drinking at UK airports could become a thing of the past under proposals being put forward by the government.
The Home Office is set to launch a review of licensing laws at airport terminals across the country, which could signal an end to early-morning drinking in airport bars and restaurants.
Airlines have been calling for a crackdown on alcohol sales before flights following a spike in arrests for drunken behaviour, claiming they are saddled with the consequences of intoxicated passengers.
The Guardian understands the government intends to release more details on the proposals on Thursday. Home Office minister Victoria Atkins said disruptive or drunk behaviour on flights was unacceptable.
In September, the airline industry warned that drunk passengers could expect to face fines of up to £80,000 if a plane has to be diverted because of disruptive behaviour. Passengers found drunk on a flight could be fined up to £5,000 and jailed for up to two years for breaching air navigation orders.
The same month, a Ryanair flight to Ibiza was forced to return to Manchester airport 36 minutes into the journey because of a “disruptive passenger”. Police later arrested a woman on suspicion of being drunk onboard an aircraft.
In August last year, an investigation by BBC One’s Panorama revealed there had been a more than 70% increase in arrests relating to drunken behaviour on flights or at UK airports, rising from 225 in the year running up to February 2016 to 387 in the subsequent 12 months.
Source: The Guardian. UK.