Despite the turmoil in the global aviation market in recent months, inflight technology providers remain upbeat. Airlines continue to invest, they say, and as carriers seek to run their onboard programmes more efficiently and cost-effectively, opportunities will always arise for service providers who can think and act quickly. DFNI speaks to three of the leading companies in the market.

The Estonian capital was the venue for last month's Baltic and East European Travel-Retail Conference, organised by Raven Fox. A strong line-up of speakers ensured a big turnout for discussions on key issues such as EU expansion, pricing, changing passenger profiles and airport development. John Rimmer reports.

The new joint venture between Aelia and Aéroports de Paris begins trading under its 10-year agreement at Paris Charles de Gaulle terminal 2E this month. Dermot Davitt spoke to Aelia chairman and ceo Michel Perol and vice-president organization and development Ambroise Fondeur on the eve of the opening.

Industry partnership is fast becoming the catchphrase in travel-retail, but are operators really practising what they preach? And can closer partnership help the trade recover from the global crisis of early 2003? Michael Eaton delivers the reaction from the confectionery trade.

A few pioneers have shown that specialist confectionery stores have great potential worldwide. As more companies get in on the act it is clear that experience, partnership and the right products are crucial for success. Michael Eaton reports.

DFNI asked confectionery suppliers for their thoughts on the trading conditions of the past six months and about their plans for the rest of the year.

What do the big manufacturers think about specialist confectionery stores and shop-in-shops? DFNI asked some of them for their views.

US. HMSHost Corp has been granted extensions to its duty-free and food and beverage contracts at Seattle-Tacoma International airport.

HUNGARY. Hungary?s privatisation agency APV has confirmed that the sale of Budapest Airport Rt, which operates Budapest Ferihegy airport, will take place next year.

THAILAND. JHP Design and Thai partner Concept International Design  have been awarded the contract to plan commercial and retail areas at Bangkok Suvamabhumi airport.

The June/July issue of Travel Retailer International features in-depth reports on the retail winners of last year?s International Air Transport Association?s (IATA) Global Airport Monitor.

UK/INTERNATIONAL. The world?s best cabin crews will gather in London once more this autumn as the Inflight Sales Person of the Year (ISPY) Awards are held on November 26?28.

FRANCE. Nearly 370 leading brands have already booked their stands for October?s TFWA World Exhibition in Cannes, the association has revealed.

The light at the end of the tunnel still looks a long way off, but for Hong Kong?s embattled retailers, the end of the current travel crisis may be in sight.

UK. About 200 delegates attended the first Trinity Forum in London, which took place from June 18-20.

NETHERLANDS. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is to present a fresh onboard retail offer this month in a bid to improve sales, which have struggled since the Iraq war and the outbreak of SARS in Asia.

UK/FRANCE. Cross-Channel operator SeaFrance has ordered a new super ferry to be delivered in February 2005.

ARGENTINA. A group of investors led by landlord Aeropuertos Argentina 2000 (AA2000) has bought a majority stake in Argentina?s leading airport retailer InterBaires, according to local reports.

HAWAII. Governor Linda Lingle has followed the example of her predecessor by vetoing a bill that would offer beleaguered airport retailers rent relief during hard times.

FRANCE. Several multi-billion dollar deals between aircraft manufacturers and leading airlines at the Paris Air Show last month provided strong hopes of a resurgence in the aviation market.

VIETNAM. Imex Pan-Pacific is to introduce a pre-order and pick-up duty-free service at Ho Chi Minh City International airport aimed at Vietnamese overseas workers returning home.

LATIN AMERICA. Regional economic recovery and its effect on travel markets will be a central theme at this year?s ASUTIL duty-free conference, to be held in Cancún, Mexico from September 3?5.

By Dermot DavittFRANCE. Leading French operator Aelia opened the first stores in phase one of the development at Paris Charles de Gaulle (CdG) terminal 2E, the airport?s new terminal, on June 25.

URUGUAY. The government?s failed attempt to tender the master concession at Montevideo Carrasco airport has forced a rethink of the bid conditions for the contract.

GERMANY. Munich airport?s new terminal two was inaugurated last week with the opening of a dazzling new retail complex.

By Jonathan Brown

TRI Exclusive

By Jane Labous

DFNI Exclusive: By Michael Eaton

DFNI Exclusive

By Jonathan Brown

DFNI Exclusive: By Kevin Rozario