Heinemann partnership begins operations at Tirana

Stefanie Ives

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A new passenger terminal has opened at Tirana International airport where Gebr Heinemann's partnership with Albanian Duty Free Distribution is the main duty-free retailer

Tirana International opened a new passenger terminal on March 21, with HochTief Airport Retail as the master retail concessionaire and Gebr Heinemann's partnership with Albanian Duty Free Distribution as the main duty-free retailer. HochTief Airport Retail, a wholly owned subsidiary of HochTief Airport, has a seven-year master retail concession at the airport. Tirana is the country’s only international airport and in 2006 it welcomed more than 900,000 passengers, up 15.5% on the previous year.

The 8,500sq m (91,460sq ft) new terminal has 11 retail units, including souvenir and duty-free shops, bars, restaurants and cafes. Restaurants are available for both departing and arriving passengers.

The airport was privatised in October 2004 through a 20-year concession agreement. Hochtief Airport chairman and Tirana CEO Dr Reinhard Kalenda said: “ It is a fine example of how even small airports can be run with great commercial success. Tirana could serve as a role model for other airports of a similar size.”