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(ANNAPOLIS, MD – February 21, 2023) — Today, Governor Wes Moore directed the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA) to conduct a new procurement solicitation for the Airport Retail and Concessions Program for the Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport. The new procurement solicitation cancels the solicitation and the contract award recommendation by the previous administration.
With more than 9 million enplanements, BWI Marshall is the busiest commercial airport in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region, surpassing Dulles International Airport and Reagan National Airport. On average, BWI Marshall serves more than 51,000 passengers daily, and 36 airlines provide domestic, international, commuter, charter, and cargo flights to and from the Airport.
The Retail and Concessions Program is a critical component of BWI Marshall Airport’s continued success, day-to-day operations, and passenger experience. The concessionaire manages the Airport’s retail and food operations, amenities, and develops and designs public spaces.
The timeline for the new procurement will impact the existing Airport concessions program contract, which expires at the end of March 2023. The MAA will submit a request to the Board of Public Works in March to enter into a month-to-month agreement with the current concessionaire.
“BWI Marshall is an economic driver for our state and our region,” said Governor Moore. “The retail and concessions program is a key element to the growth and success of the Airport, and my administration is committed to carefully crafting a new solicitation and a procurement process that encourages robust competition, fairness, and provisions that align with our administration’s values and short-term and long-term economic strategies.”
BWI Marshall is undergoing a $450 million, five-year expansion of its A/B concourse, which includes the addition of 142,000 square feet and the renovation of its terminal building space that will provide more than 42,000 square feet of new concession space upon its completion by 2026. Currently, the Concessions Program encompasses over 194,000 square feet of concession space.
