SOUTH KOREA. Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC) is planning to issue its Request for Proposals for the duty free concession at the new Terminal 2 in August or September. Bidders will then have at least 60 days to prepare their offers, with submissions likely to be due in November and contract awards made in December.
Speaking to The Moodie Report at Incheon International Airport this week, IIAC Deputy Executive Director, Commercial Marketing Group, Bum-Ho Kim said the concession team was in the planning and design phase for T2, with an internal review of the layout to be completed.
T2, on which construction should be complete by September 2017, will house 32,000sq m of commercial space with around 10,000sq m to be allocated to duty free. Although the final layout and allocation of categories is yet to be decided, IIAC said it would feature a centralised commercial zone, unlike the fragmented shopping environment in the existing main terminal.
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The Incheon International Airport commercial team of (l-r) T2 Concession Team Assistant Manager Ashley Jang, Deputy Executive Director Commercial Marketing Group Bum-Ho Kim and Retail Team Assistant Manager Jiyoon Park with The Moodie Report’s Dermot Davitt (second left) at one of the Korean-themed structures landside at the airport |
IIAC T2 Concessions Team Assistant Manager Ashley Yunjeong Jang, who is working on the T2 project, said: “Around 80% of the shops will be in a single area in T2. We will encourage creativity from retailers to create a unique atmosphere.”
IIAC said the tender process would be broadly similar to previous bids as the company was bound by Korean law on its procedures and decision-making.
Kim said: “We have had a lot of interest from all of the major operators.” He added: “We will also be open to international players. They may have been deterred in the past but we welcome them to take part.”
Jang said that duty free and food & beverage tenders would be issued first for T2, with other services to be tendered later.
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New stores from The Shilla Duty Free (above) and Lotte Duty Free (below) at the existing concourse |
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Crucially, decisions have now been made on the airlines that will occupy T2. As reported previously, Korean Air will move to the new facility. Also now confirmed are SkyTeam alliance members Delta Air Lines, KLM and Air France.
IIAC also confirmed it would review concession rentals in the existing terminal once T2 opens, given the switch of these airlines and the vital move of Korean Air in particular.
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The liquor & tobacco offer at Entas Duty Free, one of the small & medium sized enterprises at the airport |
