Find more places to shop and eat at airport

NASHVILLE -- Nashville International Airport threw a party last week to celebrate the opening of a dozen new food, beverage and retail vendors. Nationally recognized chains such as Wendy's and In Celebration of Golf are mixed with Nashville-themed outlets including Discover Nashville Music City, the Nashville Zoo and Swett's, a branch of a local cafeteria-style restaurant specializing in Southern home-style cooking and a traditional "meat and three" menu.

The new shops and dining establishments are part of the airport's multiyear terminal renovation program. Plans include new concourse skylights, flight information panels, restroom improvements and the consolidation of eight existing security checkpoints into one single location with 11 checkpoints.

MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL

Airport pet stops increase

Pet owners in the Twin Cities will soon be able to take advantage of a pet boarding facility adjacent to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The Animal Humane Society has won the contract to operate a 24-hour pet boarding and day care facility, with parking and shuttle service to and from the airport terminals.

The center will have room for 141 animals — 96 dogs, 30 cats and 15 smaller animals — and will offer its services to the general public, airport passengers and airline and airport personnel. In addition to pet day care, plans call for outdoor play and exercise areas, indoor play areas, training, a retail area and a large spa and grooming area with a pet therapy pool and massage. The facility is scheduled to open in October.

Other airports with nearby pet-boarding facilities include Jacksonville, New Orleans and Portland, Ore.; several others have projects in the works.

NEW YORK

Delta adds New York-Tel Aviv route

Delta already serves Tel Aviv from its hub in Atlanta.