Kaplan Kirsch lawyers assist airport clients in both the structuring and administering of airport concessions operations. We advise airports how to design the contracts for master concessionaire, developer and hybrid concession models as well as contractual agreements in the rental car arena.
We work with airports and both local and state officials to develop funding sources for large-scale developments such as consolidated rental car (ConRAC) facilities, including obtaining local and state authorization for the airport to levy customer facility charges to pay for some or all such development. We have negotiated a number of rental car agreements supporting a variety of development models for new ConRACs, including traditional development by the airport as well as cutting-edge private delivery models.
Our many years of “in the trenches” experience with employment and labor matters gives us broad experience in addressing the unique labor issues that arise with respect to airport concession programs. That knowledge enables us to counsel airports in matters related to “labor harmony” or “labor peace” agreements, prevailing/living wage legislation and on-airport union organizing activities. We have been the lead negotiators in a wide variety of issues arising under these topics and successfully resolved difficult on-airport issues involving both local and national labor organizations. We also have many years of experience with the legal and operational issues that arise with respect to airport concession disadvantaged business entity (ACDBE) programs.