Sizing Post-Security Retail Space and Waiting Lounge in Passenger Departure Terminal

By Moses Buenda and Alexandre G. de Barros

This paper deconstructs all the major determinants affecting retail revenue in airport terminal design. Moses Buendia and Alexandre G. de Barros provide two main determinants to improve retail revenues: the penetration factor, and dwell time. Both of these variables depend on the processing rate at security checks upstream and on the boarding rate downstream. The airport terminal configuration and ratio of retail space over the entire retail and departure lounge area can also affect the penetration factor. Maintaining an optimal proportion between space for waiting lounge and retail space can maximize sales and minimize the initial capital investment for airports. With the introduction of a new definition of the penetration factor in this paper, businesses can evaluate the number of shoppers and the size of the potential retail market.

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