Qantas looks to outsource duty-free

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Bidders are gathering as the Australian carrier tenders its inflight duty-free operation

As part of its continuing restructuring programme, Qantas has begun the process of outsourcing its inflight duty-free operation.

The Australian airline, which recently announced that all non-core businesses would be outsourced, has invited selected operators to provide expressions of interest to operate the carrier's duty-free programme. TRW understands from sources close to the airline that invitations were received by Nuance Australia, Alpha Inflight Retail and Gate Gourmet. Alpha and Gate Gourmet are understood to have responded positively but Nuance's position was not known. A spokesman for Nuance said the retailer was unable to comment.

Though discussions with interested parties had been going on for some time, the source said Qantas now considered it "relatively urgent" to bring negotiations to a conclusion. The airline was unavailable for comment.

See DFNI December 15 for more details.