Redmond Airport Concessionaire Ousted After 17 Years, Legal Actions Taken
Published: 5:45 PM Friday, October 2, 2026
A national airport hospitality company, Aviano RDM LLC, has filed a legal complaint against the city of Redmond after losing bids for both food, beverage, and retail concessions as the airport expands.
The city awarded Tailwind Hospitality a 10-year contract for the airport’s retail space during a special City Council meeting on September 29. Tailwind will replace Aviano as the airport’s concessionaire, with the transition set to occur upon the completion of the terminal expansion in November 2027. This change signals the end of a 17-year partnership between Aviano and Redmond Municipal Airport.
Aviano has initiated legal action, claiming an unfair selection process in its complaint against the city and Tailwind. The lawsuit, filed in Deschutes County Circuit Court on July 30, alleges that former airport director Zachary Bass had inappropriate dealings with Tailwind, violating Oregon public contracting laws. Bass reportedly met with a Tailwind representative before the bid deadline, which Aviano contends compromised the integrity of the bidding process.
Following the allegations, Bass resigned after 11 years as airport director, with the city stating he was moving on to other career opportunities.
Aviano’s lawsuit requests corrective action, along with compensation for legal fees and $25,000 related to the bid process. For the food and beverage contract, Aviano had proposed a $2.2 million buildout featuring a partnership with Thump Coffee. In contrast, Tailwind offered a $4.7 million plan that included partnerships with several local brands, including Sisters Coffee and Bend Brewing Company.
Tailwind’s retail proposal, named “Base Camp Marketplace,” and Aviano’s “NW Pure Northwest” both estimated construction costs around $1.5 million. However, Tailwind secured both contracts by a significant margin, according to the evaluation points system which assessed proposals based on various criteria including experience and concept design.
Aviano previously raised concerns about Bass’s communications with Tailwind but was dismissed by the city. The complaint argues that the city did not adequately address prejudices stemming from those interactions.
Aviano, identified as a local, family-owned business, has been operating at the airport since 2009. Tailwind, based in Delaware, is owned by Palladin Consumer Retail Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm, and runs operations at over 50 mid-sized airports across the U.S.
The Spokesman has been unsuccessful in obtaining comments from Aviano, Bass, or Tailwind, and the city of Redmond has declined to provide statements regarding the ongoing litigation.
