As global air travel reaches record levels, airports face unprecedented pressure to modernize infrastructure and enhance passenger experience. In response, Airports Council International (ACI) World has released comprehensive new guidelines for airport development concession agreements. These guidelines provide a crucial framework for structuring successful public-private partnerships that can meet growing demand while safeguarding public interests.
The Airport Development Concessions Agreements: Global Approaches and Guidelines for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) arrives at a critical moment. With over 850 airports in 90 countries already involving private-sector participation and 132 more transactions in the global pipeline as of January 2025, these guidelines establish much-needed standardization for an increasingly vital development model.
What are the new airport concession guidelines?
The ACI’s new guidelines represent a global consensus on best practices for airport concessions and public-private partnerships. Developed by ACI World and ACI Latin America and the Caribbean, this resource provides clear, practical guidance for concessionaires, investors, lenders, advisors, governments, and grantors.
Why were these guidelines developed now?
Several converging factors make these guidelines particularly timely. Global air travel continues to reach new heights, creating immense pressure on airport infrastructure. Meanwhile, governments worldwide face fiscal constraints that limit their ability to fund necessary expansions and improvements.
Justin Erbacci, ACI World Director General, explains the necessity: “Airports are vital to connectivity, trade, and social and economic development. As demand grows, governments face real fiscal constraints to provide necessary, efficient, and sustainable infrastructure required to meet this demand”.
Well-structured public-private partnerships offer a solution by mobilizing private investment, improving operational efficiency, and delivering world-class infrastructure while protecting public interests.
What do the airport concession guidelines cover?
The ACI’s comprehensive document addresses the entire lifecycle of airport concession agreements. Rather than focusing on isolated aspects, it provides an end-to-end framework for successful partnerships.
The key components include:
- Industry overview: A detailed analysis of the current state of airport development concessions worldwide.
- Implementation framework: Comprehensive guidelines for preparing, negotiating, and managing airport development concession agreements from feasibility through execution.
- Risk management: Detailed frameworks for identifying and allocating financial, operational, and demand risks.
- Legal templates: Model clauses and templates designed to create transparent, balanced partnerships.
- Governance best practices: Guidance on performance monitoring, dispute resolution, and ongoing relationship management.
- Practical case studies: Global examples showcasing different airport development concession models and lessons learned from their implementation.
- Sustainability guidance: Framework for incorporating environmental sustainability and community value into airport development projects.
How do airport concessions benefit travelers and airports?
Well-structured concession agreements create significant value for multiple stakeholders. For passengers, they translate to better facilities, more dining and retail options, and improved overall travel experience. For airports, they provide critical capital investment and operational expertise.
Successful airport concessions can dramatically improve passenger satisfaction while boosting non-aeronautical revenue. At Nashville International Airport, a redesigned concessions program increased sales per enplaned passenger to $15.38, ranking among the highest in the industry, while passenger satisfaction ratings for retail and dining services jumped almost 20%.
These improvements don’t happen by accident. They result from carefully structured partnerships that align the interests of airports, concessionaires, and the traveling public.
What are the different types of airport concession models?
Airport concessions encompass diverse business arrangements, from retail and dining to essential passenger services. Understanding these models helps stakeholders select the right approach for their specific needs and circumstances.
| Concession Type | Description | Common Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Retail & Dining | Sale of consumer goods, food, and beverages to travelers | Restaurants, shops, newsstands, duty-free |
| Management Contracts | Operating business activities where assets are owned by the airport | Parking facilities, terminal operations |
| Service Providers | Businesses providing services to passengers on airport property | Car rentals, lounges, advertising displays |
| Electronic & Digital | Web-based or digital services accessible within terminals | Wi-Fi providers, digital advertising |
It’s important to note that aeronautical activities like air carriers, fixed-base operators, and flight schools typically fall outside the definition of concessions.
What are the key challenges in airport concession development?
Airport concession projects face several unique operational hurdles that require specialized approaches and careful planning.
Navigating regulatory changes
Recent legal developments have significantly impacted concession programs, particularly in the United States. New Department of Transportation rules have removed race- and sex-based presumptions from the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) and Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) programs.
Effective October 3, 2025, these changes require all current certified DBEs and ACDBEs to be reevaluated and recertified under new standards that require individualized proof of social and economic disadvantage. This represents a major shift in how airport concession opportunities are structured and allocated.
Managing operational complexities
Airport concessions face distinct operational challenges that don’t exist in traditional retail environments. These include:
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- Unpredictable passenger flows: Flight delays and schedule changes create sudden demand spikes that challenge traditional staffing models.
- Complex supply chains: Deliveries must navigate airport security and access restrictions, requiring sophisticated logistics planning.
- Space constraints: Limited kitchen and storage areas demand highly efficient layout and equipment choices.
- Extended operating hours: Airports operate 24/7, requiring staffing and operational models that accommodate early mornings, late nights, and overnight periods.
How can airports implement successful concession programs?
Based on global best practices and case studies, several strategies emerge as critical for concession success.
Focus on passenger experience
Modern travelers expect more than just basic sustenance at airports. Research shows that only 2% of people never eat or drink at the airport, while 64% prioritize dining as part of their airport experience.
Successful airports respond to this by creating diverse culinary destinations that reflect local flavor and meet evolving passenger expectations. This includes incorporating technology like mobile ordering, designing menus for portability, and offering options that accommodate various dietary needs.
Embrace local authenticity
Travelers increasingly want to taste their destination through airport dining and retail. Airports that partner with established local brands and regional specialties create more memorable experiences that differentiate them from other airports.
Nashville International Airport’s success with this approach demonstrates its power. The airport’s Fat Bottom Brewery was honored as a regional winner in the 2024 Airport Food & Beverage Awards for “Best Representing Sense of Place”.
Establish robust governance
Clear roles, responsibilities, and communication channels are essential for managing complex concession programs. The ACI guidelines emphasize transparent governance, balanced risk allocation, and performance monitoring as foundational elements.
At Nashville International Airport, implementing industry best practices and establishing clear procedures were critical to turning around a struggling concessions program. This included redefining approval processes, developing risk registers, and fostering partnership mentalities between the airport and concessionaires.
What is the future of airport concessions?
The airport concessions landscape continues to evolve rapidly, driven by changing passenger expectations and global travel patterns. Several key trends are shaping its future direction.
The global airport quick service restaurant market was valued at $36.8 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at 4.5% annually through 2034. This growth comes from passengers willing to spend more on quality experiences rather than just basic necessities.
While overall airport retail spending per passenger dropped by 20-25% between 2015 and 2023, food and beverage spending rose by 25-30% in the same period. This signals a clear shift in passenger priorities and a strong case for investing in higher-quality, experience-led dining concepts inside terminals.
Dr. Rafael Echevarne, ACI Latin America and the Caribbean Director General, emphasizes the long-term perspective embedded in the new guidelines: “These guidelines are built on decades of experience across our region and beyond. They offer governments and investors a clear, practical framework to structure airport partnerships that are transparent, resilient, and focused on long-term value for passengers, communities, and economies”.
The new global guidelines for airport concessions arrive at a pivotal moment for the aviation industry. They provide a comprehensive framework for developing successful partnerships that can meet growing passenger demand while creating sustainable value for all stakeholders.
As airports worldwide continue to face infrastructure challenges, these guidelines offer a path forward that balances public interest with private investment. Their emphasis on transparency, balanced risk allocation, and long-term value creation establishes a new standard for airport development in the 21st century.
For airport operators, government authorities, investors, and concessionaires, understanding and implementing these best practices will be essential for building the airports of tomorrow—facilities that serve as both vital transportation hubs and memorable destinations in their own right.
