Dufry Group has boosted its concession portfolio in Turkey to four locations after winning a new 12-year concession contract at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (ISGIA).

The Basel-headquartered travel retailer will manage retail units over a total area of 3,900sq m, including 2,800sq m allocated to core duty free in departures and 1,100sq m of arrivals shops.

Dufry already runs duty free and speciality retail shops at Antalya Airport serving the major tourist hotspots in southern Turkey, together with Kayseri Airport in the Cappadocia region and Zafer Airport at Kütahya.

UPGRADES COMMENCING FROM NOVEMBER

Effective 8 November, Dufry will take over eight existing stores and upgrade the commercial zone at ISGIA Terminal 1 with an assortment featuring the likes of liquor & tobacco, perfume and cosmetics, accessories and confectionery.

Local souvenirs and food highlighting Turkey’s cultural and historical heritage will also be available.

Passenger traffic capacity at the airport is expected to rise from 41 million to 65 million once the new Terminal 2, due to complete in 2024, is fully operational.

In addition, the airport  which is wholly owned by Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad after it acquired a 100% stake in ISGIA in 2014, is eyeing 2021 as the planned completion date for its second runway.

Cengiz Iman, General Manager Turkey, said: “Dufry Group is proud to have been awarded this new important concession in Turkey. We will honour the trust given to us by our partners at Malaysia Airports Holding Berhad  and Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport by providing passengers with a state-of-the-art shopping experience.

“This will be further evolved in the context of the opening of the new terminal where our shops will feature a complete new design, incorporating the latest digital technology and setting the scene for a vast assortment of renowned international and domestic brands.”

Ersel Goral, CEO, ISG commented: “As Sabiha Gökçen International Airport’s operator, duty free is one of our most essential terminal services. With this new start up, we are initiating a long-lasting and trustful cooperation with Dufry.

“Their global experience will be an important advantage for Sabiha Gökçen, Istanbul’s gateway to the world. We are very much excited that our partnership with Dufry will gain an even more distinctive aspect in our new terminal building, which we plan to open in 2024.”