The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) has posted its request for proposals for a duty free retail operation at the new $470m greenfield Eilat IIan and Assaf Ramon Airport which was originally due to open last April, but is now expected to begin operations later this year.

 

Companies being invited to tender include those interested in planning, establishing and operating stores that will sell duty free wines, spirits, tobacco and perfumes and cosmetics, plus confectionery and other goods – including electronics and consumer drug store supplies.

 

‘VAST PASSENGER TERMINAL’

The airport authority says the new passenger terminal will include ‘a vast area of 30,000sq m’ and it will handle round 1.8m passengers a year, while incorporating various commercial, catering and duty free shopping areas.

 

The new facility is being established to replace the Eilat and Ovda airports, with the IAA establishing the facility as a dual domestic and international airport around 19km north of the city of Eilat, which it will serve.

 

Describing the project, the IAA said: “Ilan and Assaf Ramon Airport is a unique national project due to its being the first domestic/international airport in Israel to be planned and constructed from top to bottom.

 

 

LARGE AIRCRAFT HANDLING

“The airport is planned to host a 3,600sq m runway, which will allow large jets to take off to almost every destination.

 

“The airport is also planned to host a taxiway, parking lots, an advanced energy centre, a luggage sorting system that relies on innovative and advanced technology, a fire station and modern operations and support areas that match international standards.

 

“The height of the control tower will be 45sq m, and it is designed and erected as per advanced international standards. The airport is planned to host nine wide-scope parking lots for wide fuselage medium-sized jets, as well as for turbo prop airplanes and light aviation aircraft.”

 

A SIGNIFICANT FEEDER FOR TEL AVIV…

The new airport is also expected to play an important international passenger transit/feeder role for travellers connecting with flights at Ben Gurion Tel Aviv.

 

Amongst the airlines who are expected to relocate their operations at the new airport to both domestic and European destinations are Arkia, Israir Airlines, Aeroflot and Ryanair.

 

This new airport development was initially reported by TRBusiness back in September 2016, but it has since been delayed. Click here for more details: https://www.trbusiness.com/regional-news/middle-east/duty-free-shop-approved-for-domestic-israeli-airport/109832

 

To see the tender details on the IAA site, click here: http://www.iaa.gov.il/he-IL/Tenders/Tenders_List/Pages/default.aspx