Airport Experience® News - Conference Issue 2024

ONE-ON-ONE

from their performance metrics, and with that, enable more data-driven decisions to optimize our concession program. Also very high on our agenda are sustainability initiatives, looking at how carbon footprints can be reduced, implementing initiatives in the concession programs and incorporating more eco-friendly practices. WARD: You have extensive experience in global airports. How has that informed your approach to the business here in North America? TRENK: As a full-service airport operator, Fraport sees the whole airport operation as holistic. I have worked in different roles in airport management, operations, maintenance, construction, and, of course, commercial. That enables me to put the management of commercial programs in as broader context - in the context of airport operations and how [a concessions program]

blends in into the overall operation. Understanding the management of every aspect of terminal operations also [prompts me to explore] where else along the service chain of airport operation Fraport USA could possibly participate. WARD: On the commercial side, are there innovations happening on a global scale that you haven’t yet seen in the U.S.? TRENK: One distinct difference is that most airports [in the U.S.] are driven by the domestic traffic. A big driver in revenue for [global] airports is the duty free business - you don’t see that here except from the airports that really have larger international passenger share and therefore a larger duty free operation. I think where Fraport USA can make a difference is bringing the local feel to an airport. Nashville is an excellent example - the Fraport team there has achieved the “Music City feel” in

Above: Fraport USA is leading the design, construction, leasing and management of 133,000 square feet of space in four concourses at Nashville International, in a project that is nearing completion. Next up are concessions changes for JFK T5, in partnership with JetBlue, as well as Dulles International Airport and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

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AX NEWS MARCH 2024