Dr. Lord-Marcelle’s Mother Earth juice bar is one of six new retail spaces at JFK Airport’s Terminal 8 run by local, women- and minority-owned entrepreneurs.

Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield, Donald Trump’s anger towards the Federal Aviation Administration and its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs—which he linked, without any evidence, to a fatal collision between an American Airlines plane and an army helicopter—has wider implications for airport retailers.

DEI can add retail originality

The program has been central to retail concession awards at airports across the United States. Avolta’s Hudson and Dufry brands are among the most recent to win substantial retail concessions at New York’s John F. Kennedy—at the vast Terminal 6 project. In Hudson’s case, its decision to operate its travel convenience and specialty stores as a joint venture with three ACDBE partners would have helped its bid.

In December 2024, also at JFK, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, American Airlines, and Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) Airports, an operator of airport commercial programs, opened six new retail spaces at Terminal 8 run by small, local, women- and minority-owned entrepreneurs. These stores tend to offer more original products such as small-batch perfumes, locally sourced wellness products, hand-drawn illustrations, and New York honey.

Caught out by the speed of DEI clampdown

EOs 14151 and 14173 will undermine such collaborations if they have federal funding behind them. But even private DEI projects are in Trump’s firing line. The Airports Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) has condemned the president’s decision to dismantle DEI programs.

AMAC’s Eboni Wimbush: “In reality, diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential for fostering … [+] competitiveness and achieving sustained success in industries like aviation and aerospace.”

In a statement, the organization said the move “repeals decades-old policies to ensure equal opportunity and equity, such as EO 11246, which established equal employment opportunities for federal contractors, and EO 12898, which addressed environmental justice in minority and low-income communities.”

Airports’ Response

Airports are still seeking clarity on what will happen with DEI projects and possible ways around the EOs. Doug Yakel, a spokesperson for San Francisco Airport, told me: “It’s too early to assess any impact, but we remain committed.” In mid-January, the gateway joined Bay Area transportation agencies in signing a pledge to increase equity in infrastructure projects and “reduce the racial wealth gap.”

Conclusion

The future of DEI programs in airports is uncertain, but it is clear that the impact will be significant. The elimination of these programs could lead to a loss of diversity and originality in airport retail, as well as a decrease in opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses.

FAQs

Q: What is the Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE) program?

A: The ACDBE program is a federal program that provides opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses to participate in airport retail concessions.

Q: What is the impact of the EOs on the ACDBE program?

A: The EOs could potentially eliminate the ACDBE program, which would likely lead to a decrease in opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses to participate in airport retail concessions.

Q: What is the response of airports to the EOs?

A: Airports are still seeking clarity on what will happen with DEI projects and possible ways around the EOs. Some airports have expressed commitment to DEI programs, while others are seeking guidance from the FAA.