Swiss authority to take lead role at new Bangalore airport

Gavin Lipsith

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Unique Zürich is to form a commercial plan, including retail, for the airport in the coming months

Zürich airport authority Unique is to determine the use of commercial space at the new Bangalore International airport over the coming months, RavenFox.com has learned. Unique holds a 17% share in the multinational venture and is to decide whether to issue a tender or invite companies to operate retail at the airport, due to open in April 2008, by the end of the year.

A statement from Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) said that all non-aviation activities at the new airport would be leased out to concessionaires. The first phase of construction at the airport is due to commence this month.

BIAL is a public-private partnership comprising the government of Karnataka province (13%), Airports Authority of India (13%), Siemens Project Ventures German (40%), Larsen & Toubro (17%) and Unique Zurich Airport (17%).

Unique will assist BIAL in the operation of the airport "to ensure international standards", the statement said.