Airport Business

AUG-SEP 2014

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AIRPORT AMENITIES REVIEW August/September 2014 airportbusiness 19 "It's essental that airports do these things [even when there isn't any fnancial return]. It let's our customers know that they're important and that the airport is more than just a means of transportaton." GENE RICHARDS, AVIATION DIRECTOR, BURLINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT The guest book in the room attests to its popu- larity, where people write things like: "Exactly what I needed" and "Truly appreciated having this space to center myself before a long day of airports." Richards hopes to grow the yoga room's popularity through a series of public service announcements and signage. "I think the big- gest thing that's missing is a good map letting people know it's there," he says. "Ideally we'd like to do a PSA of the things you can do at the airport, and include all of our amenities." Amenities such as the yoga room are part of Richards' overall mission to make the travel experience as positive as it can be. To that end, another partnership created a peaceful place for nursing mothers to feed their babies. Burlington International Airport partnered with Mamava, a local company that produces modular stations for nursing mothers, to install a pod-shaped lactation station post security. This freestanding kiosk features easy-to-clean surfaces; a fold-down table; power outlet; and space that comfortably accommodates seating, luggage and a stroller. "We're trying to be creative with the things we offer the public," says Richards. "It's essential that airports do these things [even when there isn't any financial return]. It let's our customers know that they're important and that the air- port is more than just a means of transportation. Adding these amenities lets the public know you understand what they're going through and what they need while traveling." DOGGIE doo-doo is some- thing no one wants to think about, see or smell at an airport. But it's a necessary evil, and one every airport should con - sider if they want to serve those passengers traveling with service dogs in tow. Delta Air Lines, working in coopera- tion with Detroit Metropolitan Airport, developed a solution to this very real dilemma when it opened Central Bark, the hub's first airside relief area for service ani- mals near Gate A-34 in the McNamara Terminal. "Prior to opening this facility, connecting passengers with service animals had to go out- side to find a relief area on the International Arrivals level," reports Airport Spokesman Michael Conway. "It's far more convenient to have a location inside the terminal area, than to expect these passengers to leave the secure area to take their animals outside." "Having the relief area inside of security allows service dogs to travel more comfortably," says Deb Davis, community outreach manager for PAWS With A Cause. "This is a fantastic convenience for their handlers whose travels take them through Detroit Metro Airport." Arconcepts designed the $75,000 potty, built by The Peterson Cos., which features two "porch potties," one with simulated grass and the other with real grass and a fake fire hydrant. The boxes are placed unobtrusively near existing restrooms, are fully enclosed for privacy, have doors wide enough for wheelchairs to maneu- ver through, and include solid waste dispos- al bags. A mini-sprinkler system rinses the grass after each animal takes care of business. "We know traveling with pets is important to our customers, and we're quite pleased to offer this new convenience whether customers are beginning or ending their travel in Detroit," says John Fechushak, Delta's Detroit Hub vice president. The TSA also is pleased with the new development, as travelers with service dogs were leaving the facility then re-entering, which required rescreening. "It relieves us of having to rescreen customers who needed to provide a break for their service animals," says Jim McKinney, TSA public affairs spokesman. Doggie Do Doggie doo-doo is no longer a doggie don't since the installation of a pet relief area in Detroit Metropolitan Airport's McNamara Terminal "It's far more convenient to have a locaton inside the terminal area, than to expect these passengers to leave the secure area to take their animals outside." MICHAEL CONWAY, AIRPORT SPOKESMAN, DETROIT METROPOLITAN AIRPORT

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