Aldeasa confirms Curacao win

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The retailer is to run four general merchandise outlets and will operate two more when the new terminal opens in 2006

Spanish operator Aldeasa has confirmed it has won the tender to operate the retail concession at Curaçao International airport. The contract begins in November and lasts for five years, with a three-year option to extend.

As reported in DFNI September 1, airport operator Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP) held a two-part tender process involving regional and international players including Motta Internacional, Waked Internacional and Duty Free Americas. CAP, a joint venture led by Alterra Partners, took over a 30-year concession contract to develop and operate the Netherlands Antilles airport last year

Under the terms of the retail contract, Aldeasa will run four general stores offering regional and international liquor products, fragrances and tobacco. Two outlets are situated in Curaçao's existing terminal; one in departures measuring 245sq m (2,636sq ft) and a 30sq m (323sq ft) in arrivals. Two similarly sized store will open in the airport's new terminal scheduled to open in February 2006. The terminal will boost Curaçao's capacity by about 2m passngers.

CAP CEO Walter Abernethy told Ravenfox.com: ?Aldeasa made the best proposal of all the companies who entered the tender and we are sure this is the start of a long and successful partnership. The new terminal is on schedule for completion in early 2006 and we expect traffic to grow considerably from the current level of 1.2m passengers.?

Last year the airport welcomed 1.2m passengers, and an increase of 7.5% is forecast this year.