Concessions contract for Kansas City International Airport New Terminal approved by City Council
The news, gift, food and beverage concessionaire contract for the Kansas City International Airport new terminal is being awarded to Vantage Airport Group, marking yet another milestone as this $1.5 billion project moves toward a grand opening in 2023.
The City Council on Thursday voted 9-2 to accept Vantage’s proposal to lead this central component at KCI.
The Vantage Airport Group concessions program will feature local brands, generate local jobs and provide opportunities for small, women-owned and minority-owned businesses. Travelers will find unique, regionally-inspired shops and restaurants with the newest technology, reasonable prices, and the highest level of customer service. Local brands featured in the concessions program include Charlie Hustle, Urban Cafe, Stockyards Brewing Co, and more.
“Part of our mission with the New Terminal is to provide the highest level in customer service and amenities and convey a sense of place of the Kansas City region,” said Kansas City Director of Aviation Pat Klein. “The Vantage Airport Group plan checks those boxes and more. We are eager to roll up our sleeves and work with Vantage to further improve the new front door to the community for Kansas Citians and our visitors.”
After completing the City’s prescribed Request for Proposals process, Vantage Airport Group emerged from a pool of five proposers as the selection committee’s recommendation to the City Council. The prescribed approval process continued with discussion, testimony, and voting in the Transportation, Infrastructure and Operations Committee, with the authorizing ordinance reported out as “Do Pass” to the entire City Council for a final vote.
The selection committee recommended Vantage Airport Group because of its experience at other airports worldwide, the inclusion of local and national brands (80%+ local), the offering of significant opportunities for small businesses and woman- and minority-owned businesses (17 firms listed and 59 percent allocated to Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprises), and a strong financial offer with a private investment of $65 million requiring no public tax dollars, among other key criteria. There is an estimated $1.5 billion in concession sales over the life of the 15-year contract.
“Vantage Airport Group is delighted with today’s City Council vote to approve our proposal to deliver an unparalleled and uniquely Kansas City-inspired concession program at the New Terminal at Kansas City International Airport,” said Rob van Snik, Senior Director, Commercial Development, and leader of the KCI concessions project. “Our commitment to providing opportunities for local small businesses, inclusion of beloved local brands, minority-owned involvement at every level of the project, and strong partnership with local labor unions will help ensure we deliver a concession program that creates a true sense of place, which visitors to this great city will embrace and Kansas Citians can be proud of and call their own.”
View renderings here
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Media questions can be directed to Joe McBride, 816-243-3164.
About Vantage Airport Group:
Vantage Airport Group is a leading investor, developer, and manager of airports around the world. Since 1994, Vantage has been making airports more efficient, profitable, sustainable, and connected to the communities they serve. Vantage has lent its expertise to 31 airports in its 26-year history. Its current network is composed of ten airports, including LaGuardia Terminal B in New York and Midway International Airport in Chicago. Vantage has offices in New York, Chicago, and Vancouver, and is a wholly owned strategic platform of New York’s Corsair Infrastructure Partners for capital deployment in the airport sector.
About Build KCI:
At just over 1 million square feet, the Kansas City International Airport New Terminal project, Build KCI, is the largest single infrastructure project in the City’s history. Slated to open in early 2023, the facility will replace the aging three-terminal complex with a single, modern terminal and 6,000-plus space garage that will improve the traveling experience for residents and visitors. The facility will open with 39 gates and the ability to expand up to 50 gates.
More details of the whole New Terminal project are available at BuildKCI.com and on social media at @BuildKCI.
The Kansas City Airport System is an Enterprise Fund Department of the City of Kansas City, Mo., and is supported wholly by airport user charges. No general fund tax revenues are used for the administration, promotion, operation, or maintenance of the airports in the system.
Visit flykci.com for more information. Find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Joe McBride
Joe.McBride@kcmo.org
816.243.3164