IRELAND/RUSSIA. Aer Rianta International (ARI) confirmed today to The Moodie Report that it is keen to assume all or part of the 33.3% share in the Aerofirst duty free alliance being put up for sale by one of the three equal partners, Sheremetyevo Airport.
Dublin Airport Authority subsidiary ARI is a partner with national carrier Aeroflot and the airport company in the alliance, which trades as Moscow Duty Free at Sheremetyevo Airport Terminal 2 in Moscow. The venture also runs an Irish bar and duty free sales onboard Aeroflot.
Local reports last week, since confirmed by The Moodie Report [our editorial policy is not to publish national newspaper articles on such serious issues without confirmation], revealed that the airport company would divest its stake by year-end. The other two partners have first right of refusal regarding the stake.
Aer Rianta International Retail Operations Director Bill Maxwell told The Moodie Report this morning that the company is interested in either bidding for Sheremetyevo’s stake outright or sharing it with Aeroflot.
He said: “The airport has said that they wish to sell their stake. They first and foremost have to talk to the other two partners. Aeroflot and ourselves will certainly be interested in taking up the share”¦ subject to both conditions and price.
“We will look, for example, at both of the partners [Aeroflot and ARI] taking an equal part of the available share. It’s still early discussions and it all has to be assessed”¦ but in general terms we want to take up the option.”
MORE STORIES ON AER RIANTA INTERNATIONAL
EgyptAir Duty Free Shops offers US$50,000 in major summer promotional campaign – 01/08/07
Chanel pops up with Runway Duty Free at Moscow Domodedovo Airport – 25/07/07
Lufthansa poised to switch Moscow flights from Sheremetyevo to Domodedovo – 09/07/07
Iain Harrison and Cian O’Sullivan strengthen Aer Rianta International-Middle East team – 28/06/07
