FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Mar. 25, 2024
SPOKANE, Wash. (Mar. 25, 2024) – Passengers at Spokane International Airport will soon have an exciting new lineup of regionally-inspired food, beverage and retail options available to them, following Spokane Airport Board’s unanimous decision to award SSP America, a division of SSP Group, a leading operator of food and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, a 10-year contract to lease, develop and manage the Airport’s concessions program.
As part of the agreement, effective April 1, 2024, SSP America will oversee the operation of nearly six retail locations and be responsible for developing and operating 11 restaurant locations in the Airport’s terminals and soon-to-open expanded Concourse C gate area. The company will also implement a new food and beverage focused on local restaurants which celebrate the region’s culinary landscape.
“When travelers visit Spokane International Airport, they’re not just passing through our gates onto their next destination. They’re stepping through the front door of the Spokane-Coeur d’Alene community, and reimagining the Airport’s concessions program enables us to simultaneously enhance the passenger experience and create new opportunities to engage and spotlight local Inland Northwest businesses,” said Ezra Eckhardt, Spokane Airports Board Chair. “After an extensive RFP process, we’re pleased to welcome SSP America to the Airport and look forward to the innovative approach we expect they will bring to our concessions program.”
Under SSP America, the Airport’s new restaurants and retail offerings will feature offerings from Zona Tacos and Tortas by the two-time James Beard Award Semifinalist for Best Chef Northwest & Pacific and restaurateur Chef Chad White as well as The Yards Bruncheon by Chef Adam Hegsted who is also a James Beard Award Semifinalist. The restaurant line up also includes local favorites Jack & Dan’s Tavern, Iron Goat Brewing Co., Wanderlust Delicato, Wiley’s Downtown Bistro and more.
“We have a passion for bringing a ‘taste of place’ to passengers,” said Scott Welding, Senior Vice President of Development and Pursuit of New Airports, SSP America. “Our ultimate goal is to shine a spotlight on the people, brands and flavors that make each region distinct and are thankful for the opportunity to become part of the Spokane International Airport community.”
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ABOUT SPOKANE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Spokane International Airport (GEG) is the second largest commercial service airport in the state of Washington, and an important gateway to the key markets and destinations across the Inland Northwest and British Columbia. The airport is served by seven major airlines and three cargo carriers, provides employment for over 3,000 people and in 2023, proudly welcomed a record total of 4,131,266 passengers and handled 77,398 tons of cargo. Spokane International Airport also generates approximately $3 billion of annual economic impact across the Inland Northwest region – and does so without the use of taxpayer or City or County appropriated funds. For additional information, please visit www.spokaneairports.net.
