Wayne County Airport Authority hosts appreciation luncheon for federal workers impacted by government shutdown
DETROIT (Oct. 24, 2025) – The Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA) and DTW Concessionaires hosted an appreciation luncheon Friday for federal workers at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Willow Run Airport (YIP).
The gathering was held in support of the federal employees currently impacted by the ongoing government shutdown, including Customs & Border Protection, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Transportation Security Administration.
“Our Airport Authority team organized this event to thank our dedicated federal partners in person,” said WCAA CEO Chad Newton. “Our Board and the entire Wayne County Airport Authority team are honored to recognize and support their unwavering commitment during these challenging times.”
Earlier this week, WCAA announced the start of its “Federal Employee Meal Program,” a partnership with airport concessionaires that is specifically designed to allow all DTW and YIP federal workers to spend up to $20 per day on food and beverage items at restaurants and retailers within both terminals. The program will run through Wednesday, Dec. 31, unless a resolution to the government shutdown is achieved prior to that date.
Participating DTW Concessionaires include:
- Areas
- Avolta
- Delaware North
- Gameway
- Marshall Retail Group
- McDonald’s
- Metro Airport Partners
- NAC-MAC Concessions
- Paradies Lagardère
- SSP America
WCAA has consistently demonstrated its commitment to supporting federal employees during government shutdowns. In 2019, the Airport Authority and concessionaires worked together to provide food for federal employees at DTW and YIP who were working without compensation.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) welcomed 33 million passengers in 2024. As one of the world’s leading air transportation hubs, DTW offers service from 18 scheduled passenger airlines. Michigan’s largest airport offers approximately 800 flights per day to and from more than 125 nonstop destinations on three continents. With two award-winning passenger terminals, six jet runways, and an onsite AAA Four-Diamond Westin Hotel, DTW is among the world’s most efficient, customer friendly and operationally capable airports in North America. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport earned Airports Council International’s 2020 and 2022 Airport Service Quality Award for Best Airport by Size and Region (25 to 40 million passengers per year in North America). DTW has also garnered three prestigious awards for customer satisfaction since 2010. DTW is operated by the Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), which also operates nearby Willow Run Airport – an important corporate, cargo and general aviation facility. The Airport Authority is entirely self-sustaining and does not receive tax dollars to support airport operations. Visit www.metroairport.com for more information.