LATVIA. Riga Airport has completed a landmark commercial tender process, confirming operators across its four key passenger-facing categories ahead of a major overhaul of the Latvian travel hub’s retail and hospitality offer.
The combined contracts for the winners are estimated to be worth more than €1 billion (US1.17 billion) in sales value over the contract terms, according to the airport company.
As reported, Avolta has secured the airport’s 12-year duty free and food & beverage concession, marking the Swiss travel retail and F&B group’s entry into the Latvian market.
The airport has now confirmed the remaining 12-year awards, with Malta-based TheMillerGroup winning the convenience retail concession and incumbent TAV Latvia Operations Services retaining the business lounge contract under its Primeclass brand.
A key feature of the outcome is the arrival of WHSmith in the Latvian airport market through franchise partner TheMillerGroup.
The company already operates WHSmith stores across several European gateways under franchise agreements, including Malta International, Athens International, Thessaloniki and Belgrade airports.
The appointments follow an international tender covering duty free, food & beverage, convenience retail and lounge services. The new operators will take over on 1 January 2027 following the expiry of existing concession agreements.
The contracts are designed to support Riga Airport’s long-term commercial development strategy and will run beyond the completion of the airport’s planned passenger terminal expansion programme.
TAV Operations Services, meanwhile, has secured a continued presence at Riga Airport through the retention of the lounge services concession, which includes operation of the airport’s 633sq m passenger lounge. Part of TAV Airports and Groupe ADP, the company manages hospitality and passenger service operations at more than 200 airports worldwide, serving over seven million guests annually.
The awards represent a significant commercial milestone for Riga Airport as it seeks to accelerate non-aeronautical revenue growth, enhance the passenger experience and strengthen its competitive position in the Baltic and Northern European airport markets.
Riga Airport Chairperson of the Board Laila Odiņa said: “We highly value the fact that the tender has enabled us to attract strong international operators whose scale and expertise will further enhance the quality of services at Riga Airport.
“Partners of this calibre bring high industry standards, foster innovation and provide passengers with a more diverse and modern airport experience, while also contributing to the growth of non-aviation revenues and strengthening the airport’s competitiveness at both the regional and international levels.
“At the same time, I would like to thank our current commercial operator, TAV Latvia Operations Services, for the longstanding partnership in shaping the passenger experience at Latvia’s gateway to the world – Riga Airport.”
Riga Airport Board Member and Chief Commercial Officer Arturs Saveļjevs highlighted the emphasis placed on local identity within the tender process.
“The tender requirements placed particular emphasis on the integration of Latvian producers, local brands and elements of Latvian identity into the commercial concepts and interior design proposals. We are pleased that the selected operators have reflected these priorities in their bids.
“As a result, Riga Airport’s future commercial offer will feature a broader representation of Latvian-made products and brands, providing meaningful support to local producers and contributing to the growth of the Latvian economy.” ✈
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, lounges and other hospitality services, art and culture, hotels, car parking, medical facilities, advertising and other related revenue streams. Please send relevant material, including images, to Martin Moodie at Martin@MoodieDavittReport.com for instant, quality global coverage. |
