Antigua airport to enhance retail offer

Gavin Lipsith

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The airport hopes to add a world-class offer in time for the 2007 Cricket World Cup

VC Bird International airport is to overhaul its commercial offer early next year in preparation for the 2007 Cricket World Cup. The airport will decide whether to move operations from the existing terminal to a new building shortly, and hopes to have a commercial masterplan in place by October.

The airport, situated close to the Antiguan capital of St John's, intends to expand its retail assortment regardless of whether it moves to a new terminal, airport manager Leon Smith told RavenFox.com. "We have commissioned a London-based architect to design the new commercial area, and he is here making proposals," said Smith. "We have not made any decisions on the space yet, but it will be much bigger than the area in the current terminal and will have a much wider range of retailers."

The existing retail area houses a variety of local operators selling souvenirs, fragrances, liquor and wines as well as a Colombian Emeralds jewellery outlet. Smith confirmed that the airport was planning a much more comprehensive offer. "We will have a full duty-free offer," he said. "Colombian Emeralds is a world-class operator and we hope to see many other retailers of that calibre in the new area."