In regional airports, that's where the money is made. Everybody comes to the airport, goes through security and sits down.
Sales of food, drinks and other concessions at Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport have almost doubled since 2014, and officials are eyeing added retail space past the security checkpoint to grow them further.
Lovell Field officials also say they are exploring the idea of a private club to cater to frequent fliers.
Concessions revenues at the airport have grown from $1.5 million in 2014 to a projected $2.7 million by year’s end, said Terry Hart, the chief executive officer at Lovell Field.
Under a contract with Tailwind Concessions, the airport keeps about 10 percent of sales, he said.