More food and beverage service is the goal of proposed changes in concessions at Dallas Love Field.
Passenger traffic at the Dallas airport has soared since the end of long-haul flight restrictions and the opening of a new terminal in 2014.
"We set out a great program when we opened back in 2014, but now we're missing sales. Folks aren't able to get something to eat when they want to get it," Dallas Aviation Director Mark Duebner said.
The airport manager said concession lines are longest between noon and 3 p.m., and many connecting passengers have lay overs.
So vendors were asked to present proposals, and the top choices called for converting merchandise space for more food and beverage options, adding beverage service at the two ends of the terminal furthest from food service in the middle and adding patio seating areas in two wings of the concourse.
Love Field passengers had different views on the problem, depending on where they came from.
MarTeze Hammonds is a North Texas-based hospitality consultant who often travels through Love Field.
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"Sometimes the lines can be rather long," he said. "That might be an opportunity for them to expand the seating area and give a little bit more space for people to be able to eat and plug in."
One couple sat at the counter of the Love Field Chili's restaurant, watching the crowd pass by.
"We originally come from Las Vegas, so this doesn't seem busy," passenger Kathleen Yanez said.
Passenger Eve Bross said she chose a spot at the same counter because it seemed to have more space.
"This seems so much less crowded than DFW, so I was happy to go on Southwest this time," she said.
Love Field is capped at 20 gates under terms of the deal that lifted the Wright Amendment and long-haul flight restrictions.
"We're limited to the building we have. So we're trying to maximize it, have the best customer experience we can, make sure everyone continues to love using Love Field," Duebner said.
A Dallas City Council Committee received the plans Monday. City council approval is requested in October.
