SAUDI ARABIA. The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has appointed Christopher Garside as Duty Free Advisor.
An experienced duty free executive, Garside will be involved heavily in working with the travel retailer that GACA appoints to run its duty free operations following the recent tender.
He will work closely with Fahad Al Basrawi, who has had many years experience in a commercial role within GACA, to set up duty free shops at the country’s three international airports – Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam.
GACA Director General, Business Development and Properties Management Fouzi Fathaldin said: “We are delighted that Chris has joined us and he is already a valued member of our team. He brings enormous experience to GACA and will be instrumental in achieving, with the appointed operator, first-class duty free shops at our international airports.”
In July 2006 seven international companies were shortlisted for the Request for Proposals which was issued in late November: Aldeasa, Aer Rianta International-Middle East, Dufry Group, The Nuance Group, ATU (Gebr Heinemann’s Turkish joint venture), World Duty Free Europe and DFS Venture Singapore.
They were joined subsequently by five Saudi companies: Arabian Company for Water & Power Ltd (Acwa Power), Omar Kassem Alesayi Group, El-Seif Commercial Investment Co, Dallah Group Co and Al-Musbah Trading Group.
A decision on the winning bidder is expected soon.
MORE STORIES ON DUTY FREE IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA
Aer Rianta International-Middle East appoints Alan Edwards to boost Saudi Arabian bid – 07/12/06
Saudi Arabia airport duty free Request for Proposals issued today – 21/11/06
Five Saudi companies join duty free shortlist as airport tenders loom – 10/07/06
Seven international companies join shortlist for Saudi Arabia duty free contract – 05/07/06
