Romanian Prime Minister Emil Boc has opened the new E.60m ($86m) terminal extension at Bucharest’s Henri Coanda International Airport, complete with a ‘Best Value’ walk-through duty paid shop which is exclusively supplied by Gebr. Heinemann.

Also known as Otopeni Airport, the facility now has an additional nine boarding bridges compared to the original five and as far as construction efforts are concerned, Romania is now ready to join the border-control free Schengen zone on schedule in the second half of this year.

As well as opening the terminal, Prime Minister Boc also unveiled the Best Value walk-through shop, which will act as a link between the original terminal and the extension building. Gebr. Heinemann holds a stake in Millenium Pro Design, the shop operator, and will also act as the exclusive supplier. 

DUTY PAID L&T NOW INCLUDED
All product categories will be presented across 1,100sq m of retail space including, for the first time, duty paid cigarettes and spirits. Another 190sq m shop also opened in what will be the non-Schengen area. 

Millenium Pro Design is investing E.3.7m ($5.2m) and taking on 150 employees at Henri Coanda Airport, including 60 newly-appointed staff members. Three more shops are already in the pipeline: the arrival, domestic and bus gate shop. All Best Value shops are open 24 hours a day. In addition, fashion and concept shops are scheduled to open their doors in 2012.

The commercial master plan for Henri Coanda International Airport was developed in consultancy with Autogrill and Heinemann. 

Gebr. Heinemann co-owner Claus Heinemann said: “We are excited about the dynamic developments at Henri Coanda International Airport in Bucharest. Working with the airport authorities and Millenium Pro Design, we have succeeded in creating an outstanding showcase for international brands on behalf of the passenger. I have no doubt that this new Romanian flagship will be a success.” 

HOPING FOR REINSTATEMENT OF DUTY FREE
The aim now for the partners Emil Rosca and Claus Heinemann will be to bring about the sale of duty free goods as well. “We hope to play our part in persuading the Romanian Government to re-establish by law the duty free status for travel to third countries. In case this should happen, Millenium is trying to secure a duty free licence for airports in Romania.”

Elsewhere in Romania, Millenium operates Best Value shops at Bucharest Baneasa Airport, just eight kilometres away from Henri Coanda airport; it also has shops at Timisoara and Cluj airports. At all sites, Gebr. Heinemann is the exclusive supplier. Millenium Pro Design has a total of 300 employees.