Hochtief appoints Design Solution and Pragma for Budapest retail plan

Budapest Ferihegy airport owner Hochtief Airports has appointed The Design Solution and Pragma Consulting to develop the commercial area at terminal two. They will be responsible for planning a 7,000sq m trading area, encompassing a 1,300sq m walk-through duty-free shop, serving up to 13.3m passengers—forecasted traffic for 2018—at the redeveloped terminal.

 

The appointments follow a competitive tender process for firms to conduct a retail diagnostic review of the existing terminal two and develop a commercial spatial plan for the redeveloped terminal. At present the terminal consists of two separate building, terminals 2A and 2B, which will be connected as part of a new terminal building by 2009.

 

Budapest airport’s director retail Bob McFadyen said: “Having worked with The Design Solution at Sydney Airport I was well aware of their capabilities. While there are several fundamental elements to successful airport retail planning and design it really comes down to maximising customer exposure to the retail product in an environment that is conductive to spending. We are confident that passengers, retailers and shareholders will be delighted with the final outcome which will consolidate Budapest airport as the most succesful airport in Central and Eastern Europe.”

 

The Design Solution director Robbie Gill said: “Having considered many alternative configurations, we have ended up with a great plan that integrates a classic walk-through duty free shop before entering a central area surrounded by shops and niche food and beverage offers. With space in demand, the majority of the major food and beverage offers are located at the mezzanine level along with the majority of the airline lounges.”

The development is part of the €261m BUD Future plan, of which the terminal two retail development, named SkyCourt, is the first stage.