More spaces tendered in Oman

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BAA, as part of the Seeb and Salalah airports consortium Oman Airports Management Co (OAMC), has announced additional tenders have opened for bookshops, car rental and bureaux de change with closing dates at the end of November

These new contracts will commence in the first quarter of 2003 for periods ranging from five to nine years.

Three major international operators are through to the final round of the duty-free bid, all working in partnership with local Omani companies, of which one is known to be the Alpha Retail/Oman Duty Free venture (TRW 18/09/02). The successful bidder will operate both the newly built arrivals duty-free shop of 126sq m (1,356sq ft) and the main departures lounge shop of 1,500sq m (16,140sq ft). BAA said results will be announced early in November.

Meanwhile OAMC is in the final stages of discussions with two international catering companies with results due in mid November. Costa Coffee has been trading in Seeb airport for several weeks and is performing above expectations. This is the first Costa location in Oman and the first in the Middle East to incorporate a Internet cafe within the design.

This initial redevelopment programme at Seeb International airport is planned until 2006 and includes redeveloping the existing terminal and surrounding facilities. The facility overall will increase in size from 39,000sq m (419,640sq ft) to 80,000sq m (860,800sq ft) with BAA's retail strategy integrated into the space.