The Nuance Group locked out at Belfast

Tina Milton

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Belfast International airport's recent decision to drop The Nuance Group in favour of Aelia, revealed in DFNI November 1, has caused uproar among Nuance and its staff at the airport

The Nuance Group has revealed its shock at Belfast International Airport Limited's (BIAL) decision to prematurely terminate its five-year management agreement for the main retail concession in favour of French operator Aelia, as broken in DFNI November 1.

Nuance, which has held the concession since October 2002, was served with a letter to terminate the five-year agreement on October 31 2004. Nuance rejected the request as unjustified and a breach of contract which it will challenge.Nuance sales staff were unable to access airside shops yesterday, as their security passes had been withdrawn, and Nuance was unable to operate at the airport.

Nuance CEO Europe Carlo Bernasconi said: "Given that the profits generated exceeded both the original profit forecast and the agreed annual budgets, we can only deduce that BIAL wishes to accept an enhanced proposal from another retailer. We are shocked, very surprised and extremely disappointed to experience such inappropriate behaviour in our industry, both from BIAL and the chosen retailer.

"The fact that BIAL has decided to terminate the management agreement without any justification, as well as the unprofessional behaviour of Aelia, who tried to approach our staff in a very inappropriate way, can not be accepted and tolerated by Nuance," Carlo Bernasconi added. Nuance is taking legal action and will take steps to protect its employees' rights.

Nuance was unavailable for comment as DFNI broke news of Aelia's move to Belfast.

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