Despite this recent NYT article documenting how truly awful conditions are right now for airports and the operators of airport concessions, there are some bits of hopeful news.

New shops at MKE Airport

At Milwaukee Mitchell Airport (MKE), which will be getting new daily nonstop flights to both Tampa and Fort Meyers on United Airlines in December, there’s a Leinie Lodge pop-up on Concourse D.

In addition to snacks and beverages, passengers can build their own souvenir variety 12-pack of Wisconsin-made Leinenkugel’s beer.

MKE also recently celebrated the opening the Bronzeville Crossing retail shop on Concourse C. The shop carries locally crafted goods from the city’s Bronzeville neighborhood.

Take a quick journey through the neighborhood, listen to music, and shop amazing products from local artisans. pic.twitter.com/w1sUrQRXV9

— Paradies Lagardère (@PLshopdinefly) August 11, 2020

SFO Airport reopening a concourse

During this pandemic, airlines have cut back schedules and parked airplanes. As a result, airports around the country have closed concourses due to flight inactivity.

But here’s some good news.

Enough flights have come back on the schedule at San Francisco International that the airport will be reopening a concourse in the International Terminal which has been closed since April 1st.

Boarding Area A, which houses Gates A1 – A15, will reopen on September 1, 2020. The Airport has been operating all international flights on a single concourse since the closure.

#SFO is reopening International Terminal A! After five months of being closed due to reduced flight and passenger activity related #COVID19, Boarding Area A will reopen on September 1.

Read More: https://t.co/pU76Qs4JIn pic.twitter.com/j1nFGh865p

— San Francisco International Airport (SFO) ✈️ (@flySFO) August 17, 2020

13 airports: 1 big virtual music festival

13 airports around the country have put their hearts and efforts together to host a free online music festival Wednesday evening, August 19, starting at 5 p.m. CST.

The show starts at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and then work its way around the country with short sets by stellar local musicians chosen by the participating airports.

Each airport will be running the event on their respective Facebook Live page.

The rundown is below. Note that Kenny Loggins (remember him from Loggins and Messina?) will be capping off the event for the Santa Barbara Airport (SBA)

We are so excited! We’re getting footloose with @kennyloggins and @AUStinAirport on August 19th at 3 P.M. PT! Join us on our Facebook page: https://t.co/syUBJi3Nbm. https://t.co/wv3nlRG679

— Santa Barbara Airport (@SBAirport) August 10, 2020

Thanks for visiting Stuck at the Airport. Subscribe to get daily travel tidbits. And follow me on Twitter at @hbaskas and Instagram.