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A proud day: (Top photo, left to right) Celal Ozugur (General Director of State Airport Operations), Ali Kurtdarcan (TAV), Hamdi Akin (TAV), Mehmet Ali Ulutas (Governor of Istanbul Airport), Onder Bilginer (Unifree), Claus Heinemann (Gebr Heinemann), Sani Sener (TAV), Ersan Arcan (ATÜ) and Kerem Ustunkaya (Unifree) celebrate the opening; (Above) ATÜ put on a show featuring music, dancers and artists to entertain guests and passengers |
TURKEY. Istanbul Atatürk Airport duty free concessionaire ATÜ (a joint venture of airport operator Tepe Akfen Ventures (TAV) and Gebr Heinemann-controlled Unifree) has celebrated the opening of what it says is Europe’s largest duty free shop, covering 2,500sq m. Another shop, covering 700sq m, has also been opened at the location.
Measuring over 200 metres in width, the two new main duty free shops extend along almost the entire length of the pier, from the security checkpoints to the gates.
To celebrate the opening, ATÜ put on a show featuring music, dancers and artists to entertain 200 invited guests as well as departing passengers.
The ribbon cutting was performed by partners of airports group TAV, Unifree, ATÜ, directors of the airport and Claus Heinemann, Co-owner of Gebr Heinemann.
Claus Heinemann said: “We are proud of this, the largest duty free shop at any European airport. With this new flagship store we will be able to increase penetration further.”
In a statement ATÜ said: “Modern shopfitting elements are employed to artfully showcase the range of top brands stocked. The new duty free shop also offers a number of international brands the opportunity to design their sales area in line with their corporate identity. This makes it possible to create innovative displays, unlike any others previously to be found at an airport.”
Together, Istanbul Airport and ATÜ have invested €3.5 million in the new shopping area. The extensive construction works took over five months to complete, and were conducted without interrupting operations in the terminal, said ATÜ.
MORE STORIES ON ISTANBUL AIRPORT
Fashion to the fore in Istanbul Atatürk Airport’s retail facelift – 26/12/06
MORE STORIES ON GEBR HEINEMANN
Gebr Heinemann and Unimex open “˜Travel Free’ Shopping Center on Selb-AÅ¡ border – 10/12/07
Gebr Heinemann opens first Kiehl’s shop in Denmark – 05/12/07
Gebr Heinemann and Boss celebrate the power of partnership at Frankfurt Airport – 20/01/07
