American Express Plans New Centurion Lounges at Heathrow and Newark; Orlando Completes First Phase of $253 Million Gate Link Upgrade
Why It MattersPremium lounge expansion and airport infrastructure spending in Orlando and Poland point to continued investment in passenger experience and hub capacity, while concession contracts such as Travelex at Dusseldorf reshape airport retail.
American Express has announced plans to build new Centurion premium lounges at London Heathrow (LHR) and Newark Liberty International (EWR) and to renovate existing lounges at Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and Philadelphia International (PHL). The company operates Centurion lounges at more than 25 airports worldwide. The EWR lounge, at 30,000 ft., will be the largest in the Centurion network and is slated to open in 2027. The new LHR lounge, the company's second at the airport, will be in Terminal 5, cover more than 9,000 ft., and is pegged for a 2028 opening.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) has finished the first phase of a $253 million upgrade of its Gate Link automated people mover. The first upgraded track has new tram vehicles and new support systems, including running surfaces, power distribution equipment and vehicle controls. MCO will now upgrade three more tracks.
Airports Authority Hong Kong has promoted Steven Yiu from executive director of airport operations to chief operating officer. He will lead the airport management division and the cargo and logistics division and be responsible for HKG's core airport operations and cargo development. He had been executive director of airport operations since 2022.
Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK), Poland's transport infrastructure project combining a new international airport with a nationwide high-speed rail and road network, is beginning the 14 billion Polish zloty ($3.6 billion) opening phase of major construction. Located between Warsaw and Lodz, it is envisioned as the largest airport in Central and Eastern Europe and one of the top 15 hubs in Europe. CPK is preparing the terminal foundations and construction facilities and building the high-speed rail tunnel in Lodz. It estimates total project cost at 131.7 billion zloty.
Nice Cote d'Azur Airport (NCE) has launched a click-and-collect marketplace where passengers can buy duty-free products online before arriving and collect them at a duty-free cash register, a premium lounge or the departure gate. Categories include beauty and fragrance, fine foods and confectionery, and wines and spirits.
Travelex has signed a five-year contract with Dusseldorf Airport (DUS) to be the exclusive provider of foreign exchange and tax refund services. The contract takes effect on Feb. 1, 2027, with Travelex opening an initial five stores with ATMs, two landside and three airside. Passengers will have access to more than 50 currencies.
