CHINA. A selection of Chinese airports could be poised to invite bids from external companies to run the locations’ non-aeronautical businesses as part of a trial operation.
According to the Shanghai Daily, the country’s civil aviation regulator is considering opening up certain airports’ non-aviation businesses, such as retail and food and beverage, in the near future. A source said to be close to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) identified airports in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen in Guangdong province and Xiamen in Fujian province as the first facilities chosen for the experiment.
The stated objectives are to generate new business and increase passenger flow. If the trial operation is successful, CAAC will then extend the system to other airports nationwide although no timetable has yet been specified.
The selected airports have been charged with submitting detailed plans which must then be approved by the regulator.
“This move will be helpful for [the airports] to focus on [their] main business,” commented a spokesperson for Shanghai Airport Authority.
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