Neutral triumphs in Montevideo

Print Article E-Mail Article

By John Rimmer and Desmond Begg

Incumbent operator Neutral has won the eight-year contract to operate duty-free at Montevideo Carrasco airport, sources close to the bidding process have confirmed. As revealed last week on DFNI E-MAIL, the Uruguayan Ministry of Defence is understood to have accepted Neutral's bid of $14.62m, payable over the eight years of the contract.

Spanish company Aldeasa came closest to matching Neutral's bid, offering $13.55m. Brasif followed with $11.6m, with Mexico's Operadora de Aero-Boutiques offering $9.05m. Barring objections from the three runners-up, Neutral is expected to be confirmed as the victor by the middle of the month.

The rent payable to the Uruguayan government stands at $30,000 per month, in addition to 20% of sales revenue.

• Full details and reaction will appear in the next issue of Duty-Free News International, out on January 15.