Sydney airport seeks interest in duty-free tender

Gavin Lipsith

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The airport is asking potential bidders to register their interest for the much-anticipated contract by December 7

Sydney Airport Corp is seeking expressions of interest in its forthcoming duty-free tender by December 7. The airport, which plans to tender its duty-free operations early next year, has revealed that it will aim to issue a request for proposals in February 2006, with responses submitted by April, a decision made in June and the new contract starting in November.

The airport is planning an A$200m ($146m) upgrade of its international terminal that will deliver a single, centralised outbound processing zone which will direct all passengers through the airside retail facilities. A substantial walkthrough store with 100% market exposure will be a key feature of the new space, the airport said, and a series of satellite duty free stores will also be developed.

Sydney Airport Corp executive chairman and CEO Max Moore-Wilton said: "These changes are designed to ensure that Sydney Airport's duty free shopping will be the most exciting and value for money shopping experiences in the world."

The duty-free contract is estimated to be worth A$220m ($160.58m). The airport handled 26m passengers in the financial year 2004-5. including 9.2m international passengers—up 8% on the previous year.