Christchurch prepares to tender $750m commercial contracts

Gavin Lipsith

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The New Zealand airport predicts commercial operations at its renewed terminal will reach total sales of more than $750m over the contract durations

Christchurch International airport is set to launch duty-free, retail, food and beverage and other commercial tenders valued at over NZ$1bn ($746.3m) for its renewed terminal, due to be completed in 2009. The airport said a combined international and domestic retail precinct would be among the commercial highlights of the new NZ$200m ($149.3m) terminal.

The airport has already put its advertising concession to tender, attracting interest from APN and Eye, and said it would be seeking the “best local and global operators to deliver a new level of offering to the traveler”.

Christchurch CEO Rene Bakx said that the airport’s traffic projections made the commercial tenders an attractive opportunity. He said: “We have gained growth in not only the core domestic travel market but also in services both at the premium end of the international market and at the high-growth low fare and "no frills" end, where high retail spend can be generated. Adding to the stable base provided by our local established airlines, the growth in services from carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Emirates and the establishment of the home base of operations for Pacific Blue and Jetstar puts us in an enviable retail position.”

The airport’s car rental tender will be taken to the market next, followed by opportunities in the retail and food and beverage sectors. Details on all commercial and retail opportunities will be available through the airports' specifically developed commercial website www.airportcity.co.nz.

The airport said it had recently achieved “successive record growth” and forecasted annual international passenger growth at 4.7%.