IRAQI KURDISTAN. Erbil International Airport (EIA) is readying for an ambitious food & beverage tender in the coming months, with international firms expected to take interest in the fast-growing hub.
Located within the autonomous Kurdistan Region, the airport has seen average growth of +35% per annum since 2006 and last year welcomed 947,600 passengers.
The tender, which is expected to be published in mid-April with a 60-day direct invitation to up to eight companies, will be for F&B operations across the passenger terminals and also for staff catering within the administrative wing. The contract will be for five years, with a two-year option.
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Erbil International Airport is facilitating the booming growth of Kurdistan |
EIA is looking for four outlets to be operational in the first year of the contract and would also seek to have an international standard bar established, although this would be the subject of negotiation at contract stage.
Meanwhile, the staff canteen will have to meet the serving needs of 500 staff, security personnel, immigration, customs, and dnata ground handlers, amounting to a potential clientele of 2,500. There will also be scope to develop an airline catering offer and an opportunity to develop outlets at the airport’s meet and greet zone in the future.
The tender will require any F&B partners to seek to include a local brand or partner within their mix, with a memorandum of understanding necessary to prove any joint venture.
Evaluation criteria for credible bids will include analysis of revenue, offer of revenue share above a minimum income guarantee, commitment to customer service, and a mix of international and local brands.
“Kurdistan is booming and the airport is facilitating that growth,” said EIA’s Commercial Development, Communications & Marketing Adviser Andrew Jones. “A well-run, patient, experienced food & beverage partner will reflect, in years to come, what a wise thing they did when they decided to take part in this bid.”
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EIA principally deals with point to point traffic, with 20 carriers serving 15 countries, and 23 cities. Flights are split fairly evenly between day and night, with an average of 14 flights per day.
Separately governed to the rest of Iraq, Kurdistan has seen its economy boosted in recent years thanks to interest from firms around the world in its oil and gas reserves. Over 50 international companies have already signed contracts for exploration in the region.
Established F&B operators interested in finding out more about the opportunity or visiting the airport can email
andrew.jones@erbilairport.net
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