NEW ZEALAND. A changing of the guard is set to happen as Auckland Airport moves to a single duty free retailer model with Lagardère AWPL from 1 June.
As reported, Aelia Duty Free (owned by Lagardère Travel Retail) will operate as Auckland Airport’s single duty free retailer after winning an extension of its contract until mid-2025.
Aer Rianta International (ARI), trading as The Loop Duty Free, will depart the scene despite a highly committed presence since it was selected in February 2015 following a hotly contested tender process for the dual operator model that has prevailed since.
As part of the transition, around 90% of existing duty free staff are being transferred across to Aelia Duty Free, Auckland Airport said. New roles are also being created, with some positions still to be filled across logistics, operations and other support functions.
Auckland Airport Chief Commercial Officer Mark Thomson said the company is delighted to partner with Aelia’s owner Lagardère Travel Retail – one of the world’s largest duty free businesses – which operates stores in the main New Zealand gateway’s international arrivals and departures zones.
“Aelia Duty Free offers a great choice of products, with beauty and cosmetics typically topping the list as some of the most purchased at Auckland Airport,” Thomson commented. “All of our customers’ favourites will still be available plus many more being added.
“With the shift to a single duty free operator, we are looking forward to providing a larger range of products, without the duplications experienced in a dual operator model. As always, Aelia’s products will remain tax and duty free.”
Auckland Airport’s shift to a single duty free retailer, initially scheduled for September this year, was brought forward by three months with the agreement of all parties to ensure a seamless transition.
Thomson added, “We are also grateful to The Loop Duty Free (operated by Aer Rianta International) for their tenure over the past seven years, when duty free was operating under a dual model, and for being a fantastic partner to Auckland Airport.”
Within the next year, a tender process is expected to get underway for a long-term duty free contract at Auckland Airport. ✈
