Hamburg reschedules SkyWorld Plaza decision

Tina Milton

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Hamburg airport will decide how to operate duty-free space at the new SkyWorld Plaza by March.

Hamburg airport will decide whether to launch a tender for duty-free space at the new SkyWorld Plaza retail mall by March as it discusses issues related to the new EU security rules. Hamburg initially hoped to make the decision by the end of 2006.

Hamburg airport commercial development manager retail, food and beverage Lutz Deubel told Ravenfox.com: “[This is] due to some further internal discussions regarding the consequences of the new EU security measures.” Hamburg will operate the food and beverage outlets and branded stores in-house.

The new retail centre will open in 2008 with 7,080sq m (75,320sq ft) of concession space, 4,450sq m (47,882sq ft) of which will be dedicated to retail and the rest to food and beverage outlets.

The retail mix will include duty-free and Travel Value stores offering fashion and accessories, fragrances, newspapers and magazines, books, jewellery, souvenirs, toys and games, sportswear, confectionery and electronics. The mall will be located between terminals one and two and will incorporate Hamburg's central security point.

Lutz described 2006 as a “good year” for Hamburg in which retail and food and beverage sales exceeded growth in passenger traffic which increased by about 14%.

Lutz added: “In 2007 we are expecting passenger numbers to rise by 2.5%. There are no big changes or projects planned - only some minor changes with the building process of our Plaza."

More than 10m passengers used Hamburg airport in 2005 and this figure is forecast to grow to 15m visitors by 2015. Hamburg-based travel retailer Gebr Heinemann is the incumbent operator of duty-free and Travel Value stores at the airport in T1 and T2.