Retail concessions performed robustly in the first three months of this year to reach *€105m/$126m (+3.3%), but sales per pax declined to €18.6/$22.3 (-1.4%), according to Groupe ADP (formerly Aéroports de Paris).

In a statement, the airport operator attributed the fall in spending to a strengthened Euro together with refurbishment works in Terminal 2E.

Revenue from airside shops increased by 1.8% to €70m, but the positive traffic mix was offset by the aforementioned currency impact and works at Terminal 2E, hall K and L that has led to temporary shop closures.

Passenger traffic for the period increased by 13.6% to 53.7m, with Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly posting growth of +3.7% to 22.8m, backed by the dynamic low-cost carrier market (+10.1%) and rises in international traffic (+6.3%).

Group consolidated revenue (including turnover from Groupe ADP’s 46.12% stake in TAV Airports) rose by 37.3% to €965m.

ROBUST TRAFFIC PROJECTIONS

In a forward-looking statement, Groupe ADP says traffic forecasts for this year remain unchanged at between +2.5% to +3.5% year-on-year.

Augustin de Romanet, Chairman and CEO, Aéroports de Paris SA – Groupe ADP stated: “Retail activities growth keeps on being driven by the dynamism of bars and restaurants. Sales in airside shops per passenger is down, negatively impacted by the strong Euro and important works in terminal 2E.

Airside shops performed solidly in the first quarter of 2018 despite the negative currency impact. Source: Groupe ADP. Click to enlarge.

“2018 first quarter revenue, including the full consolidation of TAV Airports, increased by 37.3%, to €965 million, driven by the international and European traffic dynamic, with a favourable impact on airport fees. Those will benefit from 1 April 2018 from the increase in tariffs by 2.125%.”

As reported, Groupe ADP through its 100%-subsidiary ADP International announced the finalisation of the transaction for the ownership of 51% of the capital and the exclusive control of Airport International Group (AIG ), the concessionaire of Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) in Amman, Jordan.

*Rents received from airside and landside shops, bars and restaurants, banking and foreign exchange activities, car rental services and advertising revenue.