ATÜ reopens duty-free stores at Istanbul Atatürk

Nicole Mezzasalma

Print Article E-Mail Article E-Mail Author

The new main store spread over 2,500sq m (26,909sq ft) and is the largest duty-free outlet in Europe

Turkish duty-free operator Akfen-Tepe-Unifree (ATÜ), a partnership between Gebr Heinemann-controlled Unifree and airport operator Tepe-Akfen-Ventures (TAV), has launched the redesigned shopping space at Istanbul Atatürk airport international departures area with a party featuring music, dancers and artists. The two new main duty-free stores extend along almost the entire length of the pier, from the security checks to the gates, spread over 2,500sq m (26,909sq ft) and 700sq m (7,534sq ft).

ATÜ and the airport have together invested €3.5m ($5.01m) in the refurbished shops, which offer international brands and Turkish specialities to customers and took over five months to complete without interrupting terminal operations.

Gebr Heinemann owned Claus Heinemann said: “We are proud of this, the largest duty-free shop at any European airport. With this new flagship store we will be able to increase penetration further.”