BAA Ltd. Recognizes Massachusetts Port Authority for its Critical Role in Major Expansion...

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Tue Mar 24, 2009 11:44am EDT

BAA Ltd. Recognizes Massachusetts Port Authority for its Critical Role in
Major Expansion at Boston Logan International Airport

- Award Presented by BAA Limited on March 20in London - 

LONDON, March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- BAA Ltd., the parent company of BAA Boston,
today recognized the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) for its
instrumental role in facilitating responsible infrastructure development and
economic growth related to Terminal B/American Airlines at Boston Logan
International Airport, the site of the AIRMALL(R) developed and operated by
BAA Boston.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090324/NE88192 )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090311/NE82419LOGO )

In a ceremony conducted at the new T5 at Heathrow International Airport in
London, England on March 20, BAA Limited presented Massport with a
"Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation," formally naming the authority a
"Partner for Progress."  Through its partnership with Massport, BAA Boston has
dramatically enhanced the passenger experience at Logan following the
completion of a two-year, $33 million concessions development project in
Terminal B/American Airlines.

"The collaborative efforts of Massport and BAA Boston have transformed a
terminal that now exceeds the expectations of travelers passing through Boston
Logan International Airport," said Colin Matthews, CEO of BAA Limited.  "The
changes have vastly improved infrastructure at the airport and have created
economic opportunities for Bostonians.  BAA felt it was both necessary and
appropriate to demonstrate our appreciation for the unique and transformative
steps Massport took and for supporting BAA's plans throughout the process."

Massport's vision and determination fueled the construction of a new
concessions area within the terminal, an area that initially had formed the
roof for part of the building.  In this way, the project transformed what was
an empty space into a revenue-generating initiative at a fraction of what it
would have cost to build a new terminal.  The comprehensive development also
incorporated improvements to security, seating, customer flow and restrooms
and was executed while the terminal remained open.

"This special recognition from BAA Ltd. is truly an honor and pays tribute to
the power of teamwork and collaboration," said Tom Kinton, CEO of Massport. 
"We value our ongoing partnership with BAA Boston, and we are delighted with
the already positive results generated by the transformation of the Terminal
B/American Airlines concessions."

The renovations have added nearly 20 new concessions units to the AIRMALL(R)
at BOS and have incorporated a mix of the finest international, national, and
local brands - all at "Regular Mall Prices ... Guaranteed," a hallmark of the
AIRMALL(R):

    --  Specialty Retail: Duty Free Americas, Johnston & Murphy, Local
        Charm, Sunglass Hut, Techshowcase, and Virgin Books.
    --  Restaurants and Bars: Cisco Brew Pub, Legal C Bar, and Todd
        English's Bonfire.
    --  Fast-Casual Food and Snacks: Cosi, Dunkin' Donuts, McDonald's,
        RYO Asian Fusion, Starbucks, UFood Grill, and Villa Pizza.
    --  Specialty Services: XpresSpa.
    --  News/Gifts: Hudson News.



Passengers are responding to the dramatic changes.  Per-passenger spending in
the terminal prior to the start of the project stood at $7.42.  BAA Boston
reported 2008 per-passenger spending of $11.25 within the terminal, an
increase of more than 52 percent during the gradual transformation of
concessions.

Here are some other key facts about the new Terminal B concessions:

    --  With the completion of the renovations, concessions in Terminal B have
        now grown to more than 33,000 square feet, an increase of 137 percent
        prior to the start of the project.



    --  The new concessions have added an additional 43 concessions management
        positions, a 226-percent increase; and an additional 169 other
        positions, a 147-percent increase compared to employment levels prior
to
        the start of renovations.



    --  Seating capacity has increased by more than 400 percent, with space
that
        is now able to accommodate more than 450 passengers seeking a meal or
a
        snack.



For more information about the new concessions at the AIRMALL(R), visit
www.airmall.com.

About BAA USA
BAA USA is the master developer and manager of the retail, food and beverage
operations at the AIRMALLs(R) at Pittsburgh International Airport,
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Cleveland
Hopkins International Airport, and Boston Logan International Airport
(Terminals B and E).  BAA USA is affiliated with BAA Limited, the world's
leading airport company, which owns and operates seven UK airports (Heathrow,
Gatwick, Stansted, Southampton, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow).  BAA has
taken significant shareholdings in international airports, including Naples,
Italy.  The company's core skills include airport management, retail
development and leasing, property development, and project management.  For
more information, visit www.airmall.com or www.baausa.com.


    Contact:  Jeff Donaldson
              412-642-7700
              jeff.donaldson@elias-savion.com


SOURCE  BAA Boston

Jeff Donaldson for BAA Boston, +1-412-642-7700,
jeff.donaldson@elias-savion.com
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