CANADA. Ottawa International Airport Authority has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the duty-free concession at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport. 3Sixty Duty Free has managed the contract since 2016.
At stake are two locations of around 1,200sq ft each, one in the US/transborder gate area and the second serving international (non-US) traffic. Under the contract, a new international store will be built in a separate location, with completion due in 2026. Renovation of the US/transborder store will follow.
Although not yet finalised, the contract term is tentatively set at six years with a four-year extension option.
Ottawa International Airport Authority has scheduled an information session for 1pm local time on 27 March. The deadline for submissions is 1 May with an award expected soon after and the contract set to begin on 1 August.
Director, Commercial Development Coleman Swartz said the airport company is seeking “a world-class operator with world-class experience and ideas, tailored to fit the Ottawa market”.
While Ottawa Airport has recovered more slowly from the pandemic than its Canadian peers, it exceeded pre-COVID passenger traffic levels on both US and international routes in 2024. US traffic (enplanements) reached 370,000, with international (non-US) at 217,000. These figures remained a little under the all-time high in each category, set in 2012.
The airport company also highlighted recent connectivity expansion as signals of growth.
The dynamism of regional carrier Porter Airlines is one factor, with Ottawa as its operational hub and maintenance base. Porter Airlines is using an updated fleet to increase its access to key US destinations from Boston and the New York area to Florida, while opening routes to Las Vegas and potentially other West Coast locations.
In 2023, Air France began a service to and from Paris Charles de Gaulle, hailed by the airport company as “a resounding success”, while Air Canada is reintroducing its London Heathrow service from 31 March. This begins as a four times weekly service. ✈
TENDER ALERTThe 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 or other travel-related infrastructure revenues, simply email 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. The Moodie Davitt Report is the only international business media to cover all airport or other travel-related consumer services, revenue-generating and otherwise. Our reporting includes duty-free and other retail, food & beverage, property, passenger lounges, art and culture, hotels, car parking, 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. |
