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OAMC is tendering key commercial concessions initially at Salalah, followed by Muscat |
OMAN. Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) has named ATÜ Turizm Isletmeciligi A.S. (ATÜ Duty Free) as master concessionaire for the management and operation of key commercial activities at the new Salalah Airport. The ten-year contract (from January 2015) will cover duty free (700sq m), other retail and food & beverage concessions. ATÜ Duty Free was selected after “a thorough competitive bidding process,” said OAMC. ATÜ will provide services beyond duty free through sister companies BTA Trading and TAV Operation Services.
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Istanbul-based ATÜ Duty Free is a joint venture between TAV Airports Holding and Unifree Duty Free/Gebr. Heinemann. The contract will be signed once certain pre-award conditions are met. The concession extends ATÜ Duty Free’s Middle East presence: it already operates at Medinah Airport in Saudi Arabia.
OAMC Commercial Operations General Manager Samer Al Nabhani said: “We are pleased to be working with the ATÜ Duty Free team to help us communicate our vision as Salalah is experiencing significant economic growth in its tourism, leisure and hospitality industries.
“With passenger numbers growing at Salalah Airport and spending per passenger increasing, we certainly look forward to a brighter future.”
The existing Salalah airport has witnessed surging passenger traffic during recent years. There has been a tremendous increase in the number of tourists from neighbouring GCC and European countries, noted Al Nabhani, with the popular Khareef Festival among the major draws in the region. The existing airport handled 746,994 passengers in 2013, representing growth of +18% on the previous year.
The new terminal at Salalah Airport will have an initial capacity of one million passengers per year. It has been designed to allow for subsequent phased expansion in line with demand, with an ultimate annual capacity of six million passengers. Salalah Airport’s expansion is part of a strategic aim to further develop Salalah as a tourist destination.
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The Salalah Airport contract extends ATÜ’s reach in the Middle East (renderings of the planned new terminal at Salalah are pictured) |
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Next come RFPs at the larger New Muscat International that will cover duty free, other retail, food & beverage and currency.
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ATÜ Duty Free’s biggest operation today is at Istanbul Atatürk Airport |
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