As part of the airport’s billion dollar upgrade, Westfield Concession Management (Westfield) has been recruited to manage retail and food at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Approved yesterday by the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners, the 17-year Terminal Commercial Manager Commissions Agreement is expected to the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) up to US$331.1 million and includes two years of development and 15 years of operation.

Development will see both the LAWA and Westfield invest millions to improve the airport’s dining and retail experience through creating an innovative “sense of space”.

“Our selection of Westfield Concessions Management will allow us to meet the demands of today’s travellers for quality dining, shopping and other services in a timely, cost-effective manner,” LAWA executive director Gina Marie Lindsey said.

Covering a minimum of 84,261 square feet of the airport, initial work will commence with mid-term refurbishment to four facilities; the existing Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), New TBIT currently under construction, Terminal 2 and the airport’s iconic Theme Building. 

Westfield will also be responsible for designing, developing and overseeing construction of concession and related spaces, market and promote the concessions, negotiate and administer contracts with each concessionaire, and monitor and manage performance.

“Westfield is very proud to be selected to partner with Los Angeles World Airports in the transformation of Los Angeles International Airport,” Westfield Group chief executive Peter Lowy said.

“We are fully committed to bringing our global resources and development expertise to deliver an iconic, world-class airport experience.”

Westfield is also involved with similar projects at nine other US airports include the Boston/Logan International, Ronald Regan/Washington National, Washington/Dulles International, George Bush Intercontinental and JFK International.