Hartford, Conn., Airport's Passengers Lament Lack of Food Service

Posted on Mon, Mar. 01, 2004 

Hartford, Conn., Airport's Passengers Lament Lack of
Food Service
Miami Herald, FL

Mar. 1--WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. - Bradley International
Airport administrator Stephen Korta takes issue with
the charge that Terminal B is becoming a wasteland
where travelers can't even find a decent meal.

But even Korta acknowledges that the place is looking
a little vacant these days.

For travelers, that was emphasized when the terminal's
cafeteria closed in early January. American Airlines,
Canadair and Midwest Express are the only scheduled
airlines still using the 53-year-old terminal.

Korta recently fielded three letters complaining about
the minimal food service and saying Terminal B does
not measure up to the airport's spiffy new main
terminal, which was expanded last year as part of a
$200 million project.

Candace Benyei of Redding, who called the place a
wasteland, wrote that on Feb. 17 she was frustrated
and hungry when her flight to Albuquerque was delayed
for two hours.

"There is nothing nutritional or edible" available in
the old terminal, she wrote.

Dr. Alan C. Davidson of Woodbridge wrote that on Jan.
5 he and his wife arrived early for a 7:30 a.m.
flight, expecting to have breakfast before leaving.
Instead the flight was delayed two hours and the
cafeteria was closed.

"I understand that the new end of the airport is
lovely, but this does not help the American Airlines
passenger," he wrote.

Cynara Stites of Mansfield had to hunt around to find
a bagel and a tuna sandwich to take on the plane when
she and her daughter flew from Bradley the day after
Christmas -- and said workers told her both food
outlets were closing.

"It's been years since airlines served meals in
flight," she wrote to Korta. "Why wouldn't a major
airport have sandwiches to go available?"

Responding to each letter, Korta explained that food
service in Terminal B is suffering because the state's
contract with longtime concessionaire HMS Host Corp.
of Maryland expires March 31. After that, McDonald's
Corp., holder of the concession contract for Terminal
A, takes over the entire airport.

Meanwhile, nothing prevents HMS Host from closing the
cafeteria or any part of its operation. "They have
minimum financial guarantees" due to the airport each
month, Korta said. Beyond that, he said, "It's up to
them."

State officials have not decided the future of
Terminal B, but said they would like to close all or
part of it to save money, as most airport functions
move into Terminal A. Once renovations in that
terminal are finished, American Airlines is also
scheduled to relocate, lining up beside Delta, United,
Southwest and other competitors in Terminal A.

Gates once staffed by Southwest are vacant now. So is
the entire lower level, where the boarding concourse
is locked and unused.

In the meantime, Korta said, a small sandwich bar,
Fresh Attractions, serves sandwiches, salads and
yogurt in Terminal B until about 7 p.m. daily. He also
noted that there is a sit-down restaurant between the
terminals at the Sheraton hotel.

Davidson said he travels with American regularly, so
he uses Terminal B when he flies from Bradley. Still,
he emphasized his loyalty to the state-owned airport.

"We're not looking for elegance," he said, just
something better than junk food.

 

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