Airports of Thailand annuls King Power contract n Retailer awaits decision on eviction, renegotiation or retender n Suppliers support King Power n Financial sector unfazed

By Gavin Lipsith editor glipsith@ravenfox.com Alpha Asia managing director Paul Topping’s description of the challenges faced by the company’s new joint venture at Delhi Indira Ghandi International airport is a telling tale for any retailer hoping to set up a duty-free operation in India

By Gavin Lipsith editor glipsith@ravenfox.com

By John Gallagher editor for Spain and Latin America johngallagher@ya.com

TURKEY. The Nuance Group has ousted rival Gebr Heinemann at Antalya airport by securing a deal as the exclusive duty-free operator at all terminals until 2024. Nuance signed a memorandum of understanding with the Fraport and IC Holding consortium, which won the right to operate all terminals earlier this month. The contract is estimated to be worth $4.3bn (e3.2bn) to Nuance. Its Turkish subsidiary Urart, a joint venture between Nuance and Net Holding, has managed the terminal one duty-free concession since 1998 and currently operates the main departure and arrival duty-free shops as well as 16 speciality shops, which total 1,850sq m (19,906sq ft). The contract starts in September 2007 and will initially cover T1. From September 2009, Urart will also operate at T2 and the domestic and CIP terminals. The airport welcomed 14.8m passengers in 2006 so it’s no wonder Nuance was delighted with the contract win, which is a serious gain in terms of contract size, length and passenger numbers. The contract, which runs for 17 years, will no doubt encourage the group to opt for long-term investment knowing it will still be around to reap the benefits. The Nuance Group president and CEO Roberto Graziani said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen as the exclusive duty-free partner for Fraport and IC in this hugely important project for the development of tourism in Turkey.” There is no doubt that Urart’s relationship with Fraport at T1, where they have worked together for nine years, was among the factors which swung its victory over Unifree. Since Gebr Heinemann-controlled Unifree opened its stores at T2 in June 2005, the two retailers have fought over the passenger traffic between the two terminals. Turkish airport authority DHMI settled the feud by redividing the passenger traffic between terminals one and two, but this exclusive deal means that the scales are finally tipped in Net Urart’s favour.

By Michael Eaton confectionery & fine foods editor mematters@btconnect.com

By Emily Pacey gifts & electronics editor epacey@ravenfox.com

A new state-of-the-art terminal at Cancún International airport should ensure further growth for Mexican airports operator Grupo Aeropuertos del Sureste (ASUR), writes John Gallagher

In the past month two critical developments suggest that a positive outcome in the industry’s campaign for mutual recognition of liquid security standards could be just around the corner. And the all-important EU-US accord seems ever closer, writes Gavin Lipsith

Aldeasa’s business is booming in North America and its international division has enjoyed a string of retail successes in recent months. DFNI talks to international director Daniel Montero about the company’s latest achievements

The US airline industry is slowly emerging from a tough period and is expected to post profits for 2006. But how are airports supporting their concessionaires in the aftermath? Tina Milton reports

Non-passengers shopping at airside stores and duty-free for domestic travellers—“no taxes, no duties, no kidding”? Only in America, writes Emily Pacey

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative’s strict passport requirements are causing consternation among retailers in Canada, while other affected regions seem less concerned. Gavin Lipsith gauges reaction from the travel-retail industry across North America and the Caribbean

Following the expansion of its store at Buenos Aires Ezeiza airport, sales at InterBaires have continued to grow strongly despite difficulties caused by the security crisis last year. John Gallagher reports

DFNI talks to Mannah/La Petisquera Group president and CEO Alejandro Mannah, one of South America’s most experienced duty-free retailers, about the Paraguayan company’s development plans at Asunción and Ciudad del Este

Uruguay is one of the few countries in South America to boast the full variety of duty-free shops—on land borders, on international bridges, on board ferries, in port terminals and in airport arrivals and departures areas. John Gallagher talks to the country’s duty-free operators about their plans for 2007

As London Supply celebrates two birthdays—one at Puerto Iguazú and the other in Punta del Este—John Gallagher talks to commercial director Paco Heredia about the company’s expansion plans to mark the anniversaries

As competition hots up in the news and gifts category, US retailers are deploying innovative store designs in the battle for market share, discovers Emily Pacey

Start-up airline Maxjet has cornered the business class-only niche market since its launch in 2005. But more than six months into its second year of trading how does its duty-free offer measure up? Tina Milton investigates

Tough trading conditions are forcing Caribbean retailers to rely less on the tourism trade and more on local spend. Tina Milton asks why

Over the past year developments at US cigar suppliers suggest a more international approach, writes Gavin Lipsith

Retail operations at Aeroporti di Roma’s airports are performing well but a disagreement over investment plans has generated uncertainty about the airport authority’s future ownership