Airport Experience® News - Post-Conference Issue 2026

DIRECTOR’S CHAIR

the bigger piece was making sure that we had connectivity between Concourse A and Concourse B. We were able to add amenities to the gate holds and the areas are wider to better accommodate people with disabilities. Every seat now has access to charging stations. We also have a lot of sustainability features and energy efficient features, like electrochromic

glass, and we have [various amenities] that help create a sense of place. We have a two-story look for our concessionaires. When you’re in the AB Connector, you can look up and see the food court area. WARD: What’s next in terms of capital development? GRIFFIN: Over the next six years, we’ve got about a $957 million capital program.

It has multiple projects, including a lot of state-of-good-repair projects – some of our infrastructure is 75 years old. The next big project that’s identified in our six-year capital program is a new air traffic control tower, as well as expanding on our baggage handling system, along with a CD Connector. WARD: I want to turn to airport concessions. BWI has a new contract with Fraport, who was the incumbent and won the contract after a contentious and protracted battle. What’s the vision for concessions going forward? GRIFFIN: Yes, Fraport Baltimore will be assisting us in renovating, developing, leasing and managing our concessions for the next 23 years. We’re looking at new offerings and just refreshing the program. As to what that’s going to look like, we’re working right now on the transition. The key is we’re really going be looking for high quality food and retail operations for our passengers. We’re maintaining a focus on our small and local concessionaires that are in the program, and we’ll be bringing new ones in. WARD: How are the concessions performing currently? GRIFFIN: When passenger traffic is down, that impacts our concessionaire programs. But certainly we’re working with our developer change some things out, which takes time. The concessions are doing well in the places where they are now, but we’re looking to make some changes [to maximize exposure]. I think the future is bright for our concessionaires and our passengers, and we look forward to introducing new food and retail offerings within this next three years.

Left: The recently completed AB Connector at BWI allows for easy transitions between the A and B Concourses, both heavily utilized by Southwest Airlines. Photo courtesy of Jacobs.

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AX NEWS APRIL/MAY 2026