Finnish airport operator Finavia is moving forward with its retail revamp of Helsinki Airport (HEL) – where World Duty Free Group started operations in March – with the most extensive changes carried out at the airport during any single period of its history.

 

“During the summer and autumn of 2014 and year 2015, we will open nearly 70 new or renewed stores and restaurants at the airport. We aim to continuously improve the service selection available to travellers,” says Finavia’s Business Director, Anne Gullstén (below left).

 

At the beginning of this year, Finavia launched an investment programme worth €1bn ($1.36bn) aimed at strengthening HEL’s position as a transfer hub for air traffic between Europe and Asia. In addition to that, Helsinki Airport is undergoing an extensive service review. The overhaul will create approximately 200 new jobs with various airport service operators.

 

The renovation is mostly funded by Finavia’s international partners such as WDFG and HMSHost who will invest approximately €35m ($47.6m) in the development of commercial operations at the airport. Finavia will invest an additional € 7m ($9.5m).

 

Gullstén comments: “Outlets from top international brands will open during the summer and the restaurant selection will gain new variety. We will create a world-class shopping environment at the airport, and collaborate with World Duty Free Group and HMSHost.”

 

International Operations Director Pedro Castro (right) from WDFG is pleased with the new launch at HEL. He says: “Firstly, Helsinki is a main transfer airport between Europe and Asia, and WDFG is particularly interested in these travellers. The unique geographical location of the airport makes it a major hub between Europe and Asia, with nearly two million Asian travellers passing through each year. Within the next 20 years, half of the global increase in air traffic volumes will be generated in Asia. The estimated passenger volume growth from 15m to 20m is also very attractive to us.”

 

Last year HEL has passenger traffic of 15.3m, up +2.8% and in the first quarter of 2014 passenger volume rose by +4.8%. The airport is aiming for 20m by 2020.

 

LUXURY BRANDS DEBUT

WDFG is introducing luxury brands (see lead image) in addition to the core categories of cosmetics, alcohol, tobacco and sweets.

 

Last month an 85sq m Hugo Boss outlet (below) was opened and will be joined by Burberry and Ralph Lauren. The Boss outlet will sell men’s clothing, Boss Green sportswear as well as shoes and accessories. Other fashion brands will include Porsche Design, Armani Jeans, Versace Collection, Bally, Loewe, Etro and Montblanc.

 

 

On the F&B side, Finavia now has a multi-operator model instead of only one supplier with both HMSHost and SSP Finland. “We aim to establish restaurants and cafés focusing on both international and Finnish flavours. The restaurants operated by HMSHost will open during 2014–2016. At the same time the restaurants operated by SSP Finland will be redesigned,” Gullstén says.

 

New names from HMSHost include Grab and Fly, Urban Food Market, Freshly Made, Johan & Nyström and Two Tigers Sushi and Noodle, which focuses on fresh sushi and noodle dishes, reveals Michiel Reuvers, Senior Director Business Development at HMSHost International.

 

Finavia runs a network of 24 airports in Finland and had revenue in 2013 of €353m ($480m) of which €149.3m was generated by Helsinki Airport.