Chandigarh International Airport has posted tender documents on the Airports Authority of India website for prospective bidders for two small duty free departures and arrivals shops.

The relatively new facility mainly serves passengers travelling to and from the Indian states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh and operates a limited number of international services to Middle East destinations, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, while Bangkok is said to be the next destination on the departures board this May.

IS THERE SUFFICIENT CRITICAL MASS?

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi originally inaugurated Chandigarh International Airport back in 2015 and airport management believes it now has enough passengers to justify a three-year contract offering two duty free shops – one 231sq m departure lower level outlet, plus an arrival shop of 367sq m on the lower level.

A rough sketch of how the AAI says duty free shop entrance might look when it is built.

This new contract will require any winner to develop, build, finance, operate and maintain these shops, with Chandigarh management looking for a monthly revenue share above 13% of takings, or a minimum guarantee equivalent to US$19,328 – whichever is the highest. Airports Authority of India (AAI) is also looking for a deposit of $23,194.

TIGHT TIMETABLE FOR ASSESSMENT AND BIDS

The timetable for this bid is also quite tight with a pre-bid meeting now scheduled for 6 April at 12.30 hours at the New Civil Air Terminal, Chandigarh, while the final bid proposal deadline has been set at 11.00am on 21 April 2017. AAI adds that the financial bids will be ‘intimated separately’.

AAI also points to an ‘Earnest Money Deposit’ requirement of $23,194, although it is difficult to see exactly what this relates to in the documents.

Product categories that may be sold by the winning bidder include the following: liquor/alcoholic beverages; tobacco; cosmetics, fragrance & personal care products; chocolates/candies/snacks in sealed packs; watches and jewellery; and electronics.

Any companies wishing to obtain a copy of the RFP can do so at the following link: http://www.aai.aero/tenders/NEW_GLOBAL_DUTY_FREE_DNIT_0317.pdf