SPAIN. Travel food & beverage specialist Areas has secured 14 outlets across Málaga-Costa del Sol, Gran Canaria and Valencia airports in a major Aena tender, with the concessions expected to generate close to €900 million in revenues.
The contracts, which run for between eight and ten years, represent 42% of the outlets awarded in the tender and 52% of its total economic value.
Areas will invest €7.8 million in transforming the spaces and rolling out a refreshed F&B portfolio spanning proprietary concepts and local, Spanish and international brands.
The awards comprise seven outlets at Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, six at Gran Canaria Airport and one at Valencia Airport.
They consolidate Areas’ position as the leading F&B operator at Málaga, significantly extend its presence at Gran Canaria and add another location to its Valencia portfolio.
The new operations will employ more than 400 people over the concession period. Openings began progressively in September.
A strong sense of place
A key feature of the programme across the three airports is the combination of Areas’ proprietary concepts with established local and international names.
The company is introducing StrEAT, its street food market-inspired concept, at Málaga and Gran Canaria airports alongside proprietary brands Farine, focused on coffee & bakery; beer and tapas concept Buena Pinta; and urban-style restaurant COMO.
Local flavour plays an important role, notably at Málaga Airport, where regional brands Casa Lola and Brunchit form part of the line-up. Areas said the approach is designed to bring the city’s culinary identity into the airport environment.
The wider Spanish brand portfolio features Santagloria, Volapié, VIPS, Barra de Pintxos, Chalito and MUNS.
International names include Subway, PAUL Le Café, UDON and Rossopomodoro.
Areas CEO Óscar Vela said, “This award marks another milestone in Areas’ growth strategy and reinforces our leadership in one of our most important markets.
“We continue to strengthen our position as a leading operator both in Spain and internationally.”
Areas Iberia CEO Sergio Rodríguez added, “This result demonstrates our commitment to continuously enhancing the traveller experience through offerings that combine quality, innovation and the right balance of concepts tailored to travellers’ needs.
“It also reflects our ambition to help turn the airports where we operate into showcases for the best of each city’s food & beverage scene, bringing the identity and personality of each destination to travellers.”
Building scale across Spain
The latest wins continue a strong period of expansion for Barcelona-headquartered Areas across Spain’s leading airports.
The company recently completed the full renewal of its F&B portfolio at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, culminating in the opening of 35 outlets.
Earlier this year, Areas also secured a major F&B contract at Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport. 
