AirMall
AirMall USA is a developer and manager of retail, food and beverage concessions at various US airports. Originally owned by BAA USA, (then a subsidiary of BAA plc.) it was then owned by the New York-based investment company Prospect Capital Corporation. In August 2014 AirMall was acquired by the German Fraport Group, operator of Frankfurt International Airport and another 10 airports around the globe.
Its first AirMall at the Pittsburgh International Airport in 1992. Today the company also operates AIRMALLs at Baltimore/Washington International Airport and Boston's Logan International Airport, however Pittsburgh remains by far the largest. An AirMall opened at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in the spring of 2009 as well. The stores in the AirMall are known for pricing their merchandise the same as they would at a store in a typical retail setting, compared to the higher prices charged at restaurants and gift shops in other airports.
Pittsburgh International Airport
Opened along with the new airport in 1992, the AirMall in Pittsburgh is the largest airport shopping complex in the United States.[1] It is located within the airport's airside terminal, mostly in the "Center Core" area, with some shops and restaurants extending into the concourses. Prior to Sept. 11, 2001, and the opening of The Mall at Robinson, the AIRMALL served as a shopping destination for residents of the western suburbs of Pittsburgh.
Because the Airmall is located beyond the security checkpoint, where only ticketed passengers are permitted, and the reduction of the use of Pittsburgh International as a US Airways hub, sales have decreased in recent years. It is possible that sales will rise slightly because of the new PIT-Paris route leaving passengers with a little extra time to shop. On April 13, 2007, it was announced that guests staying at the attached airport Hyatt hotel would be able to obtain passes to shop during their stay.[2] Even with sales being down due to US Airways cutbacks and the 2008-2009 economic downturn, the AirMall in Pittsburgh still accounts for the highest per passenger spending of any airport in the country, at an average of $13.60/passenger.[3]
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Coordinates: 40°29′45″N 80°14′49″W / 40.49591°N 80.24697°W