(29-Nov-2002) Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and courier company DHL have teamed up at Changi airport to offer air express delivery of purchases made in all departures and transit shops

(28-Nov-2002) The Nuance Group and Swarovski are enhancing their long-standing partnership with the opening of a new 22sq m (237sq ft) Swarovksi store at Unique Zurich airport's terminal A

(28-Nov-2002) **DFNI eXTRA NEWS FLASH** Nick Hillyard's consultancy role with King Power has ended after three months

(28-Nov-2002) **DFNI eXTRA NEWS FLASH** "I believe very strongly that business is done locally, so the decisions and the relationships and the development of the business and contracts that we have, and the coming contracts, has to be done locally."

(28-Nov-2002) **DFNI eXTRA NEWS FLASH** Copenhagen Airports retail development director Alan Bork is leaving the company next week to pursue other activities in the travel-retail industry

(28-Nov-2002) New Jersey-based Hudson Group has been awarded the $76m five-year contract to develop and operate nine new retail stores at Houston Airport System's William P Hobby airport as master concessionaire

(28-Nov-2002) **DFNI eXTRA NEWS FLASH** Uncertainty continues to hound the future of InterBaires' duty-free contracts at Argentina's leading airports, following Deutsche Bank's takeover of 80% of the share in the company

(28-Nov-2002) **DFNI eXTRA NEWS FLASH** Leading inflight concessionaire Duty Free Air and Ship Supply (DFASS) has made its first move into airport retail in the US, where it is to operate a number of speciality gift stores at Los Angeles International airport

(27-Nov-2002) Asia Market Intelligence (AMI), soon to be renamed Synovate, has just released the latest figures from the "Label Love" study on luxury brands in Hong Kong, Korea and Singapore

(27-Nov-2002) Paris-based operator Elior, the third largest food & beverage concessionaire at European airports, motorway outlets and tourist attractions has announced annual turnover up by 12.7% to ?2,329m ($2,329m) for the year 2001/2002

(27-Nov-2002) Bucharest Otopeni International airport authority AIBO is close to announcing the winners of the tender for the former duty-free space at the location

(27-Nov-2002) **DFNI E-MAIL NEWS FLASH** SAS Trading is reorganising with the aim of developing its local relations with airport owners and suppliers, as well as becoming a stronger player in future concession application processes

(27-Nov-2002) The 255,000sq ft (20,911sq m) Windsor Crossing Premium Outlets centre, located at the Windsor border crossing in LaSalle Ontario close to the Windsor-Detroit Tunnel Duty Free Shop and Ambassador Duty Free Store is adding new stores to its lineup

(27-Nov-2002) By the end of next month the YVRAS consortium, led by Vancouver Airport Services, will take over operations at Montego Bay Sangster International airport, according to Jamaica's Information Minister

(26-Nov-2002) Finnish news retailer Rautakirja Group and travel retailer Hachette Distribution Services (HDS) have signed an agreement whereby the two companies will launch cooperation on news and gift trade in the Czech Republic

(26-Nov-2002) The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has announced it will be setting aside S$210m ($119m) over the next three years to help its partners tide over the uncertainty in the aviation industry and to further strengthen Singapore's position as an aviation hub in the region

(26-Nov-2002) Following two weeks of speculation in Buenos Aires financial circles, crisis-torn Exxel Group has transferred its 80% shareholding in duty-free operator Interbaires to its main creditor Deutsche Bank

(26-Nov-2002) Imperial Tobacco, the world's fourth-largest tobacco company, today reported annual profits up 26% boosted by the $5.8bn acquisition of Germany's Reemtsma earlier this year (TRW 08/05/02)

(26-Nov-2002) HMSHost Corp announced today the opening of seven new outlets at Tampa International airport's new Airside E area which serves United Airlines, Delta Airlines and Air Canada flights

(26-Nov-2002) After intense lobbying for the San Antonio International airport duty-free concession, the City Council decided last week there were too many concerns hanging over the contract and has opened it for bid again, according to local reports

(26-Nov-2002) Luxottica Group, the leading eyewear maufacturer, and the Giorgio Armani fashion group have announced that they are to part

(23-Nov-2002) A recent meeting of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) Tourism Recovery Committee concluded that recent world events have temporarily stunted the pace and scale of recovery but that consumers will still seek to travel, even if it includes changing traditional travel patterns

(23-Nov-2002) Sime Malaysia Region, the subsidiary of trading conglomerate Sime Darby, has this week sold its shareholdings in several duty-free operations to local company Extra Vantage for a total M$696,001 ($183,000)

(22-Nov-2002) The stores of the LVMH Fashion & Leathergoods division are being issued wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs) linked to the store's inventory management system, both developed by Montreal-based Raymark

(22-Nov-2002) Philippine president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has ordered the cancellation of the opening of the capital's Ninoy Aquino International airport terminal 3 on December 15, citing incomplete safety systems

(22-Nov-2002) Hawaii was again the most popular destination for Japanese honeymooners this autumn, according to a report by leading tour operator JTB Corp

(22-Nov-2002) Weitnauer Group has sought to clarify its position regarding an EU claim in which accusations against RJ Reynolds (RJR) are reported concerning smuggling and money laundering

(21-Nov-2002) UK Customs and Excise management has banned its own staff from buying duty-free goods when they travel abroad on business and issued a warning that they could face dismissal if they disobey

(21-Nov-2002) A group of 20 key European travel retailers were present at yesterday's Brussels conference to address the subject of cross border overcharges in the VISA credit card system first reported last month (TRW 24/10/02)

(20-Nov-2002) UK airport operator TBI, that operates London Luton, Belfast and Cardiff airports, said pre-tax profits to the end of September fell 23% to £18m ($28.5m), before exceptionals

(19-Nov-2002) Presentations from leading tourism industry officials at the World Travel Market in London last week revealed the extent of tourism stagnation in Europe relative to Asia and the effect of the global terrorism threat on travel patterns

(19-Nov-2002) Within one year of its launch, the Dubai Duty Free and American Express co-branded card is on track to achieve its target customer base, while the benefits offered to existing card members have tripled as a result of associations with a wide range of UAE-based companies

(19-Nov-2002) Aer Rianta International Middle East (ARIME) announced today the appointment of Alan Edwards as senior operations manager-inflight

(16-Nov-2002) Passenger volumes recovered strongly in October at Hong Kong International airport, the Airport Authority (AA) said this week

(16-Nov-2002) Former Air 2000 inflight retail manager Tina Sanders has created a new company, Omnida, to provide inflight services to airline operators

(16-Nov-2002) The 2003 Raven Fox Ball, one of the highlights of the industry's social calendar, will take place in London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Friday March 7, with all proceeds going to children's charity Dreamflight

(16-Nov-2002) King Power International (Thailand) yesterday reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30 2002

(15-Nov-2002) Airports Council International -North America (ACI-NA) this week announced the winners of its 2002 Marketing and Communications Awards

(15-Nov-2002) Net profit for Swiss luxury goods group Richemont slipped 5% to ?404m ($396m) in the six month period ending September 30, compared to the same period in 2001, the group said today

(14-Nov-2002) Gebr Heinemann's Street of Sweets concept, a promotion running through all its major airport outlets in Germany has been praised by Nestlé International Travel Retail (NITR)

(14-Nov-2002) Frankfurt airport group Fraport said this week it is confident a sustainable recovery is now in progress since the traffic collapse of last September

(14-Nov-2002) Japanese group tourists visiting Korea spend an average $1,249 per person according to a Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO) survey, details of which were released this week

(14-Nov-2002) The final masterplan of the $4bn Dubai Festival City development was endorsed this week by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Mak-toum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence

(13-Nov-2002) Kappé International has appointed Gemma Whelehan as group commercial director, effective January 1 2003

(13-Nov-2002) King Power International (Thailand), the sole operator of duty-free outlets at Bangkok Don Muang International airport, is to leave the American Stock Exchange while continuing to consolidate its operations as turnover this year reaches Bt9bn ($207m)

(13-Nov-2002) The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has rejected a request from India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) for a reduction in duty-free concession fees for its outlets at major airports, according to local reports

(13-Nov-2002) The Tax Free Rugby Association (TFRA) has decided to organise a charity event for the victims and families of Singapore Cricket Club members who suffered during the recent atrocities in Bali

(13-Nov-2002) Dubai Duty Free (DDF) has released details of the golf tournament, prize giving and social programme that will take place from December 14 - 15

(12-Nov-2002) Firefighters and security guards are to begin a series of one-day strikes at BAA airports at the end of November, in a move that could mean chaos for the country's travellers in the run-up to Christmas

(12-Nov-2002) Nestlé International Travel Retail (NITR) has teamed up with Nuance to promote its Cailler brand of Swiss chocolate at Zurich and Geneva airports

(12-Nov-2002) Aer Rianta International-Middle East, in partnership with Oman Aviation Services, has won the contract to operate the duty-free stores at Seeb International airport

(12-Nov-2002) BAA announced today its seven UK airports handled a total of 11.4m passengers in October, an increase of 16.2% on the same month last year, when traffic was seriously impacted by the tragic events of September 11

(12-Nov-2002) An important conference has been scheduled for November 19 in Brussels on the subject of the EU Commission ruling on the overcharging of interbank credit card charges for retailers (TRW 24/10/02)

(9-Nov-2002) The commercial teams from Brussels International Airport Corp (BIAC) and Belgian Sky Shops have said they wish to clarify their support for the Travel Value programme and the use of the logo at Brussels airport

(9-Nov-2002) Gulf Air and Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Duty Free announced this week they have joined forces to offer the airline's customers flying First or business class the chance to win a total of Dhs6m ($1.6m) between now and the end of January 2003

(9-Nov-2002) All three Whitcoulls bookshops at Auckland International airport have been recreated as WH Smith stores following the UK group's acquisition of Whitcoulls, along with Bennetts bookshops and the Australian Angus & Robertson chain from Blue Star Group last year (TRW 19/06/01)

(9-Nov-2002) South African operator Tourvest this week reported a 43% increase in sales from inbound tourists in the financial quarter ended September 30

(9-Nov-2002) HDS Retail North America, part of the French Hachette group, has been awarded two separate concessions to operate 32 news and gifts stores and five bookstores at Toronto's Lester Pearson International airport

(9-Nov-2002) Allied Domecq has joined the line-up of sponsors for this year's Inflight Sales Person of the Year Awards (ISPY 2002), to be held on November 28-29

(8-Nov-2002) Milan-based travel-retail group Autogrill this week posted a third-quarter net profit of ?54.1m ($53.0m), down 12% from a year earlier after one-off charges and currency weakness in the US

(8-Nov-2002) Sydney Airports Corp (SACL) has announced its annual Retailer of the Year Award winners at a presentation held at the Overseas Passenger Terminal

(6-Nov-2002) Toronto-based Aecon Group today announced that a consortium led by the construction conglomerate has signed agreements to take over management of Mariscal Sucre International airport in Quito, Ecuador as the first step in the development of a new international airport in the Ecuadorian capital

(6-Nov-2002) Louis Vuitton is planning to open its second shop in Vietnam in 2003 according to LVMH general director in Thailand and Vietnam Guillaume Thery

(6-Nov-2002) Frankfurt International airport has joined the growing list of airports offering sports car promotions aimed at raising excitement and spending in their terminals

(6-Nov-2002) Independent liqueur supplier Drambuie has appointed Ian Strachan as executive vice-president Asia/Pacific, with responsibility for domestic and duty-free markets in the region

(6-Nov-2002) Greek operator Hellenic Duty Free Shops (HDF) today announced a 40% rise in nine month pretax profits to ?31.2m ($30.6m)

(5-Nov-2002) The contribution of BAA retail operations to sales and profits has continued to grow in the company's first half 2002-2003 results just announced

(5-Nov-2002) From today, returning US travellers will be able to bring back up to $800-worth of duty-free goods, twice the previous limit

(5-Nov-2002) Dubai Duty Free (DDF) announced today it has set a record monthly sales figure in October of Dhs102.6m ($28.5m)

(2-Nov-2002) Airports Council International (ACI) results for July from 750 airports worldwide showed cargo traffic - usually a sign of growing economic activity - rising 9% over July 2001

(2-Nov-2002) As part of the country's transition toward EU accession, privatisation of state-controlled companies in Slovenia is being accelerated