Feb 12, 2016

Read More Skift Take A partnership with ACI-NA will help AirGrub make the right connections to add more airports and concessions in North America to those it already offers its customers. — Marisa Garcia The Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA) has announced a new partnership with AirGrub Systems to expand the app’s reach in North America. ACI-NA member airports serve more than 95% of domestic airline passengers and nearly 100% of all the international airline passengers in North America. AirGrub  lets flyers order and pay for food from airport restaurants on-the-fly, avoiding lines and delays. Users place and pay for their orders with the app and pick-up their meals at the concessionaire before heading for their gate. Passengers can search menu options to match their dietary requirements, and use the navigation feature to find concessions available at unfamiliar airports. The app can also notify the concessionaire, when a passenger will be delayed, to adjust the timing of the order. The company deals directly with airport management and concessionaires and doesn’t apply a service mark-up to dishes ordered by its users. This January, AirGrub announced  that it would reward users for their purchases with airline frequent flyer miles and points. AirGrub secured $1.5 million in angel investment funding in November 2015 after doubling its orders, and increasing app downloads and revenue, from its launch in July 2015 at San Francisco International Airport. It has also partnered with management at Boston Logan International Airport as well as New York’s JFK. “Through a partnership with ACI-NA, we will expand our service to more airports across North America along with the idea that everyone deserves a first class dining experience when flying,” Surya Panditi, CEO of AirGrub Systems says. “Airports have found great success in deploying technology,” says Kevin M. Burke, ACI-NA President and CEO. “AirGrub is one more tool that allows passengers to take full advantage of what airports have to offer. We are excited about our partnership with AirGrub Systems as we continue to find innovative ways for airports to better serve their passengers.” ACI-NA has worked with other technology companies to help introduce new passenger experience solutions at North America’s airports, including installations of automated passport kiosks and the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app. The association is encouraging members to promote innovations which improve the airport experience by identifying and promoting creative applications within its membership for further review, Scott R. Elmore, Vice President Communications and Marketing explains. “ACI-NA’s leadership on emerging issues, like evolving changes in ground transportation and concessions management, is equipping the industry with essential intelligence and innovative solutions, all based on collaboration,” he tells us. “We have worked very closely with our members all along the way to ensure we’re focusing on the right solutions and forging the right partnerships at the right time for the benefit of our airport members, their communities, and their passengers.” Elmore says that AirGrub was an attractive option to the group because it promises to generate a broader participation as more airports and more concessionaires get onboard, making the app more attractive to users. “There are now so many new dining options, especially local brands that use the airport to reach a global audience, in airports across the country,” he says. “We want passengers to enjoy their time while they wait for their departures, but security lines can be unpredictable, leaving folks reduced time to grab a bite to eat. AirGrub offers concessionaires greater visibility for someone who wants to order while in line and have their food available as they arrive at the cash register.”