Airtime: Innovative Retailer Offers Latest `High-Tech Toys' at Pittsburgh's AIRMALL.

PITTSBURGH -- A dead cell phone battery or forgotten charger can wreak havoc on your intention to stay connected to the office and with friends and family members while traveling. Airport Wireless palmOne, a new concept which opened for business today at Pittsburgh International Airport's AIRMALL(R), is there with the latest devices to help travelers keep the lines of communication open.

Located in the airside terminal, the 980-square-foot store is a showroom for every manner of portable electronic device. The selection includes laptops, PDAs, CD and DVD players, travel essentials such as wireless headsets, batteries and airline adapter cords, plus a prized collection of Palm handheld units and full line of accessories. There are some 1500 SKUs in all, priced from $2.39 for replacement batteries and up to $699 for top of the line items including Palm's radically popular Treo 600 smartphones.

"This is the fourth airport for our new concept with palmOne," says Ilene Bermen, vice president of marketing for APW Holdings, the holding company of ILJ Pittsburgh, the owner and operator of the new store. "And we are thrilled to be doing business at the AIRMALL(R)." Ilene's mother, Iris Goldschmidt, started the family business, operating a small cart in the Philadelphia airport in 1998. Today, the Florida-based company is on the move with its exclusive arrangement with palmOne to bring business traveler necessities to other major U.S. airports. Airport Wireless palmOne stores are currently in Newark, Philadelphia, Boston and Pittsburgh. Next stops: Atlanta and Washington D.C.

Kanwal Sharma, director of palmOne retail stores, says the company's objective was to get the technology in front of customers who need it most. palmOne is a market leader in Palm OS handhelds, software and accessory solutions. "We set our sights on airport locations for our retail stores, and partnered with APW Holdings because of their keen ability and focus on customer care ... The idea is to make retailing in an airport a fun, educational, and yet predictive place to be in. The data has been very encouraging," he adds, "and we have high expectations for our Pittsburgh store."

At Airport Wireless plamOne, customers can test drive some of the hottest gadgets to arrive in the marketplace while they are at the airport. Knowledgeable staff guide them in their technology decisions. "We're a business traveler's dream," says Ms. Bermen, "and completely hands-on - a touch it, feel it concept. Our customers get to play with all of our high-tech toys." Other traveler advantages include free overnight shipping for purchases over $100 and a corporate discount club. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

BAA Pittsburgh, Inc. leases, manages and operates the AIRMALL(R) at the Pittsburgh International Airport. The 100,000-square-foot retail facility is rated among the most successful airport shopping complexes worldwide. BAA Pittsburgh is a project of BAA USA, an affiliate of BAA plc, the world's leading airport company.