Aelia wins Marseille contract

John Rimmer

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The French retailer will replace Dufry Group at the southern French airport from next February

Aelia has won the tender to operate retail at Marseille Provence airport, beating competition from incumbent Dufry Group. Aelia will inherit 600sq m (6,460sq ft) of space in the airport's international lounge but will benefit from the complete overhaul of the area, on which work has already begun airside. The renovation is scheduled for completion by 2007.

Aelia will also operate a 75sq m (807sq ft) duty-paid store in the airport's Schengen lounge.

Marseille Provence airport head of commercial development retail Corinne Rolland praised the "dynamism" of Aelia's bid and also confirmed that the retailer had posted the highest financial offer. "Aelia's proposal was closer to our needs and those of our customers, and we were especially impressed with their plans to introduce a Provencal flavour to the stores."

Aelia's contract will run for eight years and covers all product categories.

The duty-free element of retailing at Marseille is considerable given the strong traffic between the airport and locations in north Africa. Last year Marseille welcomed international traffic of 747,927 passengers, although that figure is expected to rise this year.