Heinemann wins Vienna Skylink tender

Vienna International airport authority Flughafen Wien has announced that Gebr Heinemann has been awarded the contract to operate two walk-through duty-free stores at the airport’s new Skylink terminal extension. The company also awarded several other contracts for the new extension, due to open in early 2009, covering 52 retail outlets and almost doubling the airport’s retail and catering space to 19,100sq m (205,516sq ft).

Heinemann will operate duty-free stores on levels one and three of the new building. A "best of Austria" concept will be operated by The Artifacts Company, presenting Austrian specialities and souvenirs as well as top national brands including Swarovski and Augarten. Other prestigious brands including Hugo Boss and Thomas Sabo will be presented on level one. Level three will feature outlets from leading luxury brands including Hermès, Etro, Versace, Emporio Armani, Rolex and Chopard, as well as Austrian luxury brand Liska’s first airport shop. The mono-branded stores will measure between 80sq m (860sq ft) and 100sq m (1,076sq ft).

Flughafen Wien board member Christian Domany said: “The concept we have chosen and this first-class tenant mix will underscore the uniqueness of Vienna International airport, and strengthen our position among international airports as a top player in the non-aviation sector.”

Spar and Bipa will operate supermarket and pharmacy stores respectively, and fashion brand Esprit will operate a landside fashion boutique. SSP and Meinl am Graben will operate within the level one food court in the transit area, while Airest will operate a wine bar and beer bar, and Saveria the Kurkonditorei Oberlaa café. On level three passengers will find a more premium catering offer, including Viennese coffee house Demel operated by Do&Co and an Austrian wine bar from HMSHost. Airest and Austrian chef W Brugger will operate Asian concept Indochine Light 21, and the company will also manage premium service restaurant Taste. Passengers in the pier area will be able to choose between Demmer’s Teehaus and an international beer bar, both from Airest. The arrival hall will offer options including McDonald’s, the Ankerbrot bakery chain and concepts designed especially for Vienna International airport by successful young Viennese restaurateurs.

Management consulting firm AT Kearney assisted Flughafen Wien in developing the tenant mix and ensuring the “fair and objective allocation of this space among the high number of applicants”, the airport authority said.