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The new Terminal 3 at Xi’an Airport will house 11,400sq m of commercial space |
CHINA. Xi’an Xianyang International Airport’s new Terminal 3 opened this weekend (24 March) with an official ceremony attended by airport partners, airlines, concessionaires and local dignitaries. We’ll bring you photos from the opening and of the new facility very soon.
It marks the culmination of work on what is described as “the best commercial environment at any airport in China,” and one that will boast a “world-class” retail and food & beverage offer over more than 11,000sq m of space, according to airport management. The airport is operated by China West Airport Group, with Fraport a 24.5% shareholder. UK-based firm The Design Solution played a key role in the commercial planning.
The major airline users of the terminal, China Eastern and China Southern, will move across to T3 in coming weeks, after which it will be open to passengers. In that period commercial concessionaires will also put the final touches to their stores.
Chief Operations Officer Wolfgang Weil last week told The Moodie Report: “I’m satisfied that we are going to deliver on our promise of a world-class terminal. It looks very good, is modern, and is a step up I believe on most other China domestic airport terminals. We have achieved something special here.”
The commercial offer will be managed by a mix of local and international companies.
LS travel retail is the biggest of the retail concessionaires, operating international fashion & accessories, fragrances & cosmetics, a Discover Xi’an destination outlet, a Kaboom concept plus two convenience stores.
In food & beverage, SSP will operate over 1,000sq m of space. Key concepts include the concessionaire’s Le Grand Comptoir concept landside, located next to the check-in counters. One of the largest outlets will be the 338sq m Burger King, located in the airside Departures area. This will be complemented by a Costa Coffee, the only coffee shop in this part of the terminal, and sushi concept Sushi Express. Landside in Arrivals, SSP will open Taiji Tea House, featuring a traditional tea ceremony to provide travellers and airport visitors with an opportunity to experience an authentic Chinese cultural tradition.
Local concessionaires will also populate the F&B areas, and will manage, among others, KFC, Pizza Hut Starbucks, Haagen Dazs and Chinese restaurants.
Xi’an is China’s first imperial city and capital of Shaanxi Province. As the home of the world famous terracotta soldiers, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China. Last year, the airport welcomed over 20 million passengers. The new third terminal has been designed to handle 22 million passengers per year.
Note: Xi’an Airport’s new T3 will be the focus of a feature in The Moodie Report China, to be launched in April in bi-lingual, e-Zine format.
To sign up for a free Year 1 subscription, please send your e-mail address to Martin@TheMoodieReport.com, headed ‘The Moodie Report China’.
