Airports need to catch up, exec says

In a recent interview with Airport Technology, Henk Guitjens, chief marketing officer of JFK Terminal 4, says that the balance of power between airports and airlines is shifting, and that airports need to work harder to avoid being left behind. Admitting that smaller operators face an even harder challenge than JFK, Guitjens nonetheless maintains that airports have to be more diligent and inventive in attracting airline customers.

Guitjens cites a cooperative arrangement between JFK and Amsterdam Schiphol as one example of a creative approach to putting together an inviting package for airlines. Guitjens says that airports must look for new, innovative ways to set up pricing and timing arrangements that airlines will find attractive.

“Airlines now expect far more from their airports,” Guitjens says. “They used to be more than prepared to pay a premium and weren’t excessively concerned with overheads. Now they look at every little thing, each potential saving: ground handling, catering, synergies with other departments – anything and everything. The pressure on the airport is immense.”