Concessions operator at Syracuse airport warns employees of 54 layoffs

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Buffalo–based Delaware North, which operates food and beverage eateries at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, has told 54 of its employees they will be out of a job longer than previously anticipated.

The company has notified the affected employees that their layoff is “expected to exceed six months” because of “unforeseeable business circumstances prompted by COVID-19.”

That’s according to a notice posted on the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) page on the website of the New York State Department of Labor.

Many of Delaware North’s employees in operations at Syracuse Hancock International Airport have been on temporary leave since April, Glen White, director of corporate communications at Delaware North, tells CNYBJ in an email.

“They were recently notified that as a result of COVID-19’s ongoing impact on the business, the leave will likely be extended through September or beyond. Unfortunately, we have had to issue similar notices for other airport operations around the country,” said White. “We have, though, been able to recall some employees since May to bolster our staffing as we have resumed operations. At the Syracuse airport, we are currently operating Dunkin Donuts, Middle Age South, and Middle Ages Beer Garden and are planning to reopen more outlets as travel increases.”