Duty-free sales lift ASUR Q1 revenues

Nicole Mezzasalma

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The airport authority said a strong increase in non-aeronautical revenues such as retail were at the heart of its first-quarter results

Airport authority Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR) has announced its results for the three months ended March 31 2008. The company said that total revenue growth of nearly 24% compared with the previous corresponding period was due mainly to a 44% increase in non-aeronautical revenues. Total commercial revenue was up by 51% to Ps235m ($22.3m), while commercial revenue per passenger rose by over 28% to Ps45.94 ($4.36).

Duty-free revenue registered a year-on-year increase of 62% for the first quarter of 2008, while food and beverage revenue was up by 47%. According to the airport authority, which operates nine airports in Southeast Mexico, the rise in commercial revenues is due to increased passenger traffic and the May 2007 opening of Cancún airport terminal three, where non-aeronautical revenues grew by more than 50% compared with the previous corresponding period. The duty-free outlet at Cancún T3 is operated by Spanish retailer Aldeasa.

ASUR also said that retail revenues “continued to benefit from higher concession fees from local craft and speciality shops”.