Duty-free sales rise 44% at ASUR airports

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Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (ASUR), operator of Cancun airport and eight others in south-east Mexico, has announced a 44% increase in duty-free sales for the year ended December 31, 2002

The surge in sales came mainly from new openings of stores at Cancun and Merida airports during the fourth quarter of 2001 and at Cozumel airport during the first quarter of 2002.

The performance of duty-free helped total commercial revenues increase by over 39% for the year, while commercial income per passenger increased 25% to Ps15.81 ($1.50).

For the fourth quarter, international passenger traffic increased by 19% compared to 2001, but traffic for the full year declined slightly.

Cozumel airport was hit the hardest by the decline in domestic and international passenger traffic resulting from the events of September 11, 2001 because North American tourists represent the great majority of travellers to this resort. In addition, domestic passenger traffic to Cozumel airport was hit by the suspension of flights in of this year by Mexican airline Aeroferinco.

ASUR has concessions to operate, maintain and develop the airports of Cancun, Merida, Cozumel, Villahermosa, Oaxaca, Veracruz, Huatulco, Tapachula and Minatitlan in the southeast of Mexico.