Panel OKs Contract for LAX Concessionaire
The Airport Commission voted 4 to 0 Tuesday to approve a three-year contract extension for Los Angeles International Airport’s major news and gift concessionaire.
The deal, which requires City Council approval, would extend W.H. Smith Inc.’s contract with the airport through May 2005, with two one-year extension options. In return, the company agreed to make $8 million in upgrades to its 40 shops at the airport and to create four additional retail outlets.
The Atlanta-based firm’s contract was set to expire this month. The city agency that operates the airport had discussed putting the contract out to bid, but decided against it when concession sales plummeted after the terrorist attacks.
“This is the most inopportune time to take a major contract like this out to bid,” said Rick Janisse, deputy executive director for properties and concessions for the airport agency.
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