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Jukka Isomäki, Vice President Finavia Corporation and Commercial Services, Helsinki Airport, hopes to drive commercial revenues up by +50% in just three years |
FINLAND. Finavia is preparing a major modification and modernisation of Helsinki Airport’s commercial activities.
A comprehensive study of tax and duty free, retail, food & beverage and other services is being conducted as part of the ambitious project.
Finavia, which manages 25 airports in Finland, said that the new concept and strategy will establish a platform for redesigning most commercial facilities at the airport “to create a vibrant and attractive environment for travellers by offering a high quality experience”.
The main objectives are to prepare Helsinki Airport for the future, to meet and reflect consumer behaviour and to increase sales and revenue, the company said.
“Helsinki Airport’s position as the leading transit airport in Northern Europe for travel between Europe and Asia forms a strong base for developing the airport’s commercial passenger services,” said Finavia Director of Passenger Services Anne Gullstén.
“We have focused thus far above all on the efficient turnaround process of airplanes as well as high-quality customer service. Our aim is now to reach the next level in Helsinki Airport’s commercial offering.
“Passengers, particularly on the long-haul routes, expect the airport to offer experiences and exceptional shopping opportunities, and this is a challenge we are ready to tackle.”
Finavia said it aimed to make the stay at the airport the best part of the journey.
The redevelopment project was initiated at the end of 2012 and is expected to be completed in 2015. A phased implementation will ensure that by the end of 2013 the first results will be visible.
“Finavia aims to increase total sales and revenue by approximately +50% within three years,” the company said. “The current partnership approach will be further strengthened, encouraging commercial partners at the airport to actively promote the airport offering.”
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(Above and below) Helsinki Airport already boasts an extensive retail and food & beverage offer but this will be increased significantly by the redevelopment |
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All available space within the terminals will be reviewed to identify potential commercial use, Finavia noted. Current commercial space will be increased by +16.1% or 11,200sq m to 13,000sq m.
All commercial space will be re-evaluated and reallocated to better meet consumer expectations and maximise sales and revenue, Finavia said, pointing out that tax and duty free store space will be “significantly increased”.
The company is examining the potential for a landside commercial centre, following the opening of the new rail connection to Helsinki in 2015. This may be developed parallel to the main airport project.
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“We will leave no stone unturned in this review,” says Peter Eriksson |
Finavia is working with Peter Eriksson*, Director of Eriksson + Partner GmbH, Switzerland, on the project. Eriksson is one of the most respected executives in the airport commercial revenues sector, having worked for The Nuance Group as well as being the former Chief Commercial Officer at Zürich Airport.
“Eriksson’s goal is to bring Helsinki Airport to the next level in quality and provide state-of-the-art solutions in all aspects,” said Finavia.
“Improved merchandise mix, a new look and feel, and additional brand offering in the premium and luxury segments aim to meet consumer expectations, especially for the strongly growing passenger volumes to and from Asia and Russia,” the company said. “Local specialties will be given more focus bringing authentic products and experiences from Finland closer to the travellers.”
“We will leave no stone unturned in this review,” Eriksson told The Moodie Report. “We’ll be examining duty free, [general] retail, food & beverage – everything.”
In 2012, Helsinki Airport served close to 15 million passengers. About a third of them were transit passengers, mainly on routes between Europe and Asia. Due to transit travel, the flight connections to and from Finland to different parts of Europe and Asia are “exceptionally comprehensive”, Finavia noted,
Helsinki Airport is the leading Northern European transit airport for long-haul traffic.
*FOOTNOTE: We’ll bring you more details on Finavia’s plans and an interview with Peter Eriksson, in this week’s edition of The Moodie Report e-Zine.
NOTE TO AIRPORT OPERATORS: The Moodie Report is the industry’s most popular channel for launching commercial offers and other airport bids. If you wish to promote an Expression of Interest, Request for Proposals or full tender process for any sector of airport revenues, simply e-mail Martin Moodie at Martin@TheMoodieReport.com
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