Avolta captures retail and dining concessions at New York JFK Airport Terminal 8

USA. Avolta has struck agreements to develop a series of retail and food & beverage concessions space at New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Terminal 8.

The travel experience player will develop a range of stores and restaurants under agreements that run for over 11 years.

These are part of The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s US$125 million commercial redevelopment of the terminal in partnership with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports and American Airlines.

Avolta pledged to bring “the culture and flavour of New York City to the heart of the terminal through iconic culinary experiences, locally inspired retail and hybrid concepts”.

The award follows soon after Avolta announced the winning of a major contract at JFK Terminal 6. The combined value of the T6 and T8 gains corresponds to around a +3% increase to the company’s revenue in the region.

“JFK is undergoing a historic transformation, and Avolta is honoured to join the Port Authority, URW and American Airlines to drive a travel experience revolution in Terminal 8 that leverages our North American leadership in travel retail and travel food & beverage,” said Avolta CEO and President for North America Steve Johnson.

“New York City offers a sense of place and an experience unlike any other in the world and its diverse culinary scene and shopping set a global standard. We are delighted to capture that magic and soon share it with the millions of travellers who pass through T8.”

“It is an exciting time for Avolta, as we cement our future at the new JFK through our new contracts in terminals 6 and 8, adding around +3% of incremental revenues in our North America region once fully developed – confirming our outlook for continued growth and the potential in our market,” said Avolta CEO Xavier Rossinyol.

“This is a testament to the strength of our business and with thanks to the dedication of our great teams in North America.”

As reported in a previous story on the brands that will populate T8, in food & beverage, Avolta division HMSHost will bring two of New York City’s best-known culinary experiences to a US airport for the first time: Eataly and Momofuku.

Eataly will offer a full-service restaurant serving Italian dishes, with a wine bar and a hybrid café featuring grab & go items, coffee and a curated retail selection.

Peach Palace by Momofuku, a new concept developed for JFK T8 by Chef David Chang, will serve an Asian-American menu.

In duty-paid retail, Hudson will open five travel convenience stores; iPorte, offering tech brands, with the opportunity to test products before purchasing them; and Dear NYC, a locally inspired shop that will feature collections that represent the city through products from local makers and entrepreneurs.

JFK Terminal 8 is expected to exceed 7 million enplanements in 2025, with the percentage of international customers projected at 64%.

When they announced the US$125 million project last year, the Port Authority and partners pledged an emphasis on locally owned and diverse businesses, with the concessions programme set to showcase New York’s culinary scene and a strong sense of place. T8 will feature a new Great Hall and will include more than 60 shopping and restaurant offerings, with all units scheduled to open by the end of 2025. ✈