JAPAN. In one of Japan’s biggest airport privatisation moves yet, the rights to operate Fukuoka International will be auctioned under a 30-year contract. Fukuoka Airport, the gateway to the island of Kyushu, is Japan’s fourth biggest airport measured by passenger traffic after Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda and Kansai. It handles around 21 million passengers a year.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport & Tourism (MLIT) said the move to outsource the business would improve service and make “full use of private know-how” The process is expected to be completed by April 2019.
The MLI said: “We aim to actively attract inbound tourists and LCC demand as a result of our efforts to invite new air routes and improve customer services.”
This is the third wave of airport privatisation in Japan to date. The biggest privatisation so far came in 2015 when the Vinci-Orix consortium captured the 44-year contract to run Kansai and Osaka Itami airports. (We’ll bring you a special report on Kansai International’s commercial development under new ownership soon.)
The approximate timetable for Fukuoka Airport’s privatisation is as follows:
・May 2017: Publication of application guidelines
・May 2018: Selection of a preferred bidder
・August 2018: Execution of project agreement
・April 2019: Takeover of airport business
Airport company Fukuoka Airport Building runs all airside retail business at the airport. The airport is also majority shareholder in Fukuoka Duty Free Tenjin, Kyushu’s first downtown duty free store, opened last year. Click here for our extensive on location report from last year (page 126).
NOTE TO AIRPORT OPERATORS: The Moodie Davitt Report is the industry’s most popular channel for launching commercial proposals and for publishing the results. 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@MoodieDavittReport.com.
We have a variety of options that will ensure you reach the widest, most high-quality concessionaire/retailer/operator base in the industry – globally and immediately.
Similarly The Moodie Davitt Report is the only international business intelligence service and industry media to cover all airport consumer services, revenue generating and otherwise. We embrace all airport non-aeronautical revenues, including property, passenger lounges, car parking, hotels, hospital and other medical facilities, the Internet, advertising and related revenue streams.
Please send relevant material, including images, to Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com for instant, quality global coverage.
All such stories are consolidated in our popular Tender News section (see home page dropdown menu) that has been running since 2003.
