Peace Bridge awaits decision on Hamilton retail expansion

Nicole Mezzasalma

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The operator says the threat of fewer international flights could stall retail expansion as the airport modernises its departures lounge

Hamilton International airport is investing C$3m ($3.04m) in updating and expanding its departure lounge. The works, due to be completed in June, will double the size of the departures area and include an expanded duty-free outlet and increased retail operations. However, duty-free operator Peace Bridge Duty Free, which won a five-year contract at Hamilton in 2007, said the threat of a lower number of international flights to the airport could cause these plans to change.

Peace Bridge Duty Free general manager Chuck Loewen told DFNIonline: “The airport is expanding its departure lounge and intends to expand the retail offer there, and we are hopeful that we will be able to increase our duty-free presence there, as well as open tax-paid retail for domestic flights. Unfortunately, there is no confirmation of the same or similar number of international flights scheduled as took place in 2007 at this time. With a possible decrease in international flights we need to closely assess any expansion of that shop, but with the increase in domestic flights we see an opportunity for tax-paid retail. There are no definite or confirmed plans at present."

Hamilton airport president and CEO Richard Koroscil was reported in the Canadian press as having said that the airport is expected to increase passenger numbers by 25% in 2008.