Christchurch airport seeks interest in duty-free contract

Bill Lumley

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New Zealand’s second largest airport is seeking expressions of interest for its duty-free contract in the last quarter of 2008

Christchurch International airport is seeking interest in the duty-free concession ahead of the opening of its NZ$195m ($143m) integrated terminal. A spokesperson for the airport’s commercial department said the facility plans to issue a tender later in the year, but said it was too early to specify a date. The duty-free concessionaire at the existing terminal is DFS Group, which operates shops in departures and arrivals.

Christchurch offers international flights to a range of destinations, including Australia, the UAE, Fiji, South Korea and Singapore. Development at the airport includes the construction of a new domestic terminal and integrated international terminal facilities, due for completion in 2009. A significant increase in retail space is planned as part of the new terminal development project. A new multi-storey car park opened in 2007, an air traffic control tower is under construction, and work is under way on a new check-in area for both domestic and international passengers and a new domestic terminal that is expected to be complete by June 2009.

The Nuance Group operates two landside departures outlets at Christchurch under the Regency Duty Free fascia.