Concessions for food and beverage, retail, parking, hotels and other services provide a large and diverse revenue stream for many airports. But federal regulation of airport concessions is complex and potentially exposes airports to FAA audits, whistleblower complaints and other liabilities.
Our nationwide airport concession counsel helps airports determine when program requirements are applicable and how to apply the requirements in ways that are consistent with the law and beneficial to airport sponsors.
REDUCING UNCERTAINTY AND PROTECTING REVENUE
We have unique knowledge on compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s regulations on Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), and Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) programs. We help airports identify best practices in:
- Creation of ACDBE goals and programs
- Engagement in concessionaire programs with concessionaires
- Contracts with concessionaires
- Disputes and objections to concessionaire selection
- Defense in audits by FAA’s Office of Civil Rights
- Defense in Part 16 complaints
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been helping airports manage new public health regulations, requests for rent and fee abatements, and other novel challenges airports and concessionaires face.
