Gebr Heinemann examines Turkish acquisition

(15-Dec-2004) - The Turkish government is to make a second attempt to sell state tobacco monopoly Tekel within a few months, a source close to the company has told DFNI

(1-Jan-2002) -

(25-Apr-2007) - TURKEY. The Nuance Group has ousted rival Gebr Heinemann at Antalya airport by securing a deal as the exclusive duty-free operator at all terminals until 2024. Nuance signed a memorandum of understanding with the Fraport and IC Holding consortium, which won the right to operate all terminals earlier this month. The contract is estimated to be worth $4.3bn (e3.2bn) to Nuance. Its Turkish subsidiary Urart, a joint venture between Nuance and Net Holding, has managed the terminal one duty-free concession since 1998 and currently operates the main departure and arrival duty-free shops as well as 16 speciality shops, which total 1,850sq m (19,906sq ft). The contract starts in September 2007 and will initially cover T1. From September 2009, Urart will also operate at T2 and the domestic and CIP terminals. The airport welcomed 14.8m passengers in 2006 so it’s no wonder Nuance was delighted with the contract win, which is a serious gain in terms of contract size, length and passenger numbers. The contract, which runs for 17 years, will no doubt encourage the group to opt for long-term investment knowing it will still be around to reap the benefits. The Nuance Group president and CEO Roberto Graziani said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen as the exclusive duty-free partner for Fraport and IC in this hugely important project for the development of tourism in Turkey.” There is no doubt that Urart’s relationship with Fraport at T1, where they have worked together for nine years, was among the factors which swung its victory over Unifree. Since Gebr Heinemann-controlled Unifree opened its stores at T2 in June 2005, the two retailers have fought over the passenger traffic between the two terminals. Turkish airport authority DHMI settled the feud by redividing the passenger traffic between terminals one and two, but this exclusive deal means that the scales are finally tipped in Net Urart’s favour.

(3-Jun-2003) - By Dermot Davitt

(1-Oct-2000) -