DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. Dufry Group has extended its duty free concession at Santiago International Airport by ten years, taking it to 2034. The agreement, which begins in 2024, provides for a +40% expansion of the retail sales area, with new stores covering around 1,000sq m. Dufry has been a partner at the airport for over 15 years.
As part of the contract extension, Dufry will refurbish and expand the current duty free space with its latest shop design and digital concepts. In line with the space increase, the assortment – which features core categories such as perfume & cosmetics, liquor, tobacco and confectionery – will be further refined to include a “comprehensive selection of global brands and local products”, said the retailer.
Dufry Chief Operating Officer for Mexico and Caribbean Juan-Antonio Nieto said: “We are very proud to be able to continue our long-standing and successful collaboration with Santiago International Airport and thank our partners for the renewed trust. Through the planned overall enhancement and extension of the airport’s retail space and our refurbishing of the duty free store we will provide travellers with a new and attractive shopping experience, thus further increasing the productivity of this important hub, which enjoys an increasing attention of international passengers.”
Santiago International Airport Board President Felix Maria Garcia said: “Our Board of Directors and I are all motivated to continue working hand in hand with Dufry’s local team and Juan-Antonio Nieto in achieving our much anticipated airport expansion.
“The yearly passenger increase has been projected to continue as Dominican nationals find it easier to utilise our airport proximity to their family residence when travelling internationally, [with the] flexible flight schedules and ecological tourism increases in the region. We aim to provide modern airport facilities to all of our passengers while maintaining a natural and eco-friendly design at our destination. Dufry’s worldwide know-how will continue to contribute to making the passenger experience gratifying.”
Santiago International Airport is the second largest airport in the Dominican Republic, serving more than 1.7 million passengers in 2019. Dufry’s presence in the country also includes duty free operations at Santo Domingo, La Romana, Puerto Plata and Samana airports.
