In line with its retail and foodservice strategy, Lagardère Travel Retail (LTR) has opened its new 470sq m master concession at Karratha Airport in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia, which offers daily services from Perth, twice-weekly flights to Broome, and weekly services to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

After being awarded the Foodservice and Travel Essentials master concession, LTR opened its LINK Karratha store and a combined Foodservice outlet, featuring a cafe, bar and Eagle Boys Pizza last October.

The opening – which is part of the $35m airport redevelopment plan – represents a significant expansion of its footprint within the region, with the LINK Karratha store concept the latest concept within Australian airports.

 

 

In addition, the combined Foodservice operation is described as ‘an important strategic step’ for the travel retailer’s vision to become an alternative player in Foodservice within the region.

The LINK store has been specially tailored for Karratha Airport, featuring an extensive tech and accessories execution, casual surf wear, apparel, beauty and travel essentials.

The retailer says these should appeal to the ‘largely ever evolving Fly-in, Fly-out (FIFO) and Visiting Friends & Relatives (VFR)’ passenger mix. It adds that LINK reinterprets traditional books, news and convenience as a comprehensive travel essentials offer.

 

LTR Pacific CEO Matthieu Mercier commented: “We are thrilled to be operating these stores at Karratha Airport, Western Australia’s second-busiest airport and Australia’s busiest airport for helicopter traffic.

“The award of the master concession is enormously rewarding and we are delighted to have now successfully opened these stores within such a progressive regional airport. Considering the remoteness of the location, the process from tender to involvement with space allocation and build was seamless”.

The expansion of its supply agreement with the Eagle Boys Group has enabled an even wider range of bar and snacking products to reach Karratha through their national supply chain, says LTR.

 

Karratha Airport General Manager Mitchell Cameron said: “The City of Karratha is delighted to have Lagardère Travel Retail as our concession partner at Karratha Airport.

“We wanted to provide a depth of offering that is not typical in regional ports; we engaged early with Lagardère Travel Retail working together to provide the travelling public with a seamless and wide range of products, food and beverage options.

“The stores have been a pivotal part of the redevelopment of Karratha Airport and in demonstrating what can be achieved with good planning and an open partnership.”