The main JR/Duty Free store at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion International Airport Terminal 3 resumed operations on Tuesday (11 May 2021) after being closed for 14 months due to the impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

As reported, all international flights were diverted to Terminal 3, where the flagship JR/Duty Free store is located in March 2020.

This followed the closure of Terminal 1 as the number of flights nosedived as a result of the pandemic.

The James Richardson and Gebr. Heinemann joint venture secured the 10-year liquor, tobacco perfume and cosmetics and confectionery contract covering Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion in 2017.

Richard Hoyer, Vice President Sales, EMEA, Gebr. Heinemann commented on the German family-owned company’s official LinkedIn page: “We are celebrating this long-awaited day with our joint venture partner James Richardson Corporation Pty Ltd and feel confident that our business will experience a speedy recovery after the crisis.

“With over 60% of the Israeli population being fully vaccinated and agreements with several countries to travel quarantine-free in place, we expect a positive effect on travel behaviour very soon. These are important pillars for the health and safety of our employees and customers and also for the restart of travel retail.”

FLIGHT DIVERSIONS

At the time of writing, incoming passenger flights were being diverted from Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport to Ramon Airport outside Eilat in the South to minimise the exposure of civilian air travel to rocket fire amid the ongoing recent conflict between Israel and Palestine. Departing flights were continuing.

In recent days, Palestinian terrorists have fired rockets at Israel with some of the projectiles slamming into the central region near the airport.

Last month, Israel Minister of Tourism Orit Farkash-Hacohen and Minister of Health Yuli Edelstein agreed a framework for the opening of Israel to vaccinated groups of foreign tourists.

Starting 23 May, Israel will open to foreigners after more than a year. Initially, groups will be allowed in under guidelines published by the Ministries.

It is hoped by July that the skies will be open to independent vaccinated travellers without the need to come as part of a group.

In other Heinemann-related news, Russian joint venture Imperial Duty Free JSC has unveiled its modernised 50sq m sunglasses boutique at Moscow Sheremetyevo International Airport Terminal D after just four weeks of renovation.

Gebr. Heinemann says the boutique fuels the desire of passengers at Moscow Sheremetyevo to shop and that it is brighter and more inviting than previously. This is due to its spacious entrance area, ‘attractive presentation’ of goods and backlit walls.

The company added: “The boutique is located in Terminal D, the only one of the airport’s four international terminals which will be operated until the end of the year.

“The fact that all international passengers are concentrated in Terminal D not only allows an efficient operation of the airport, but also of the 23 Imperial Duty Free shops there.

“At the same time, sunglasses are an increasingly popular fashion accessory at SVO. This is also reflected in the figures: The share of sales of the boutique in the total sales of Terminal D has nearly doubled in the first few days since the reopening.”