Dufry Group is set to expand and refurbish its duty free facilities at Santiago (Cibao) International Airport (AIC) in the Dominican Republic after successfully extending a long-term concession for a further 10 years.

The contract renewal, effective 2024, will grow the sales area by 40% to offer around 1,000sq m of retail space.

This will benefit from the global travel retailer’s latest shop design and digital concepts, with the full core selection of duty free categories enjoying further refinements.

AIC is an important passenger traffic hub in the Dominican Republic serving international passengers traveling to and from more than 13 of the 32 country provinces.

PAX LEVELS TIPPED TO RISE

It welcomed more than 1.7 million passengers in 2019 and expects those levels to increase in the years ahead.

Dufry, which has been operating in the Dominican Republic for more than 15 years, also has a duty free presence at airports in Santo Domingo, La Romana, Puerto Plata and Samana.

Juan-Antonio Nieto, Chief Operating Officer for Mexico and Caribbean, Dufry, said: “We are very proud to be able to continue our long-standing and successful collaboration with Santiago International Airport and thank our partners for the renewed trust.

“Through the planed overall enhancement and extension of the airport’s retail space and our refurbishing of the duty free store we will provide travellers with a new and attractive shopping experience, thus further increasing productivity of this important hub, which enjoys the increasing attention of international passengers.”

Felix Maria Garcia, Board President, Santiago International Airport said: “Our Board of Directors and I are all motivated to continue working hand-in-hand with Dufry’s local team and Juan-Antonio Nieto in achieving our much-anticipated airport expansion.

“We aim to provide modern airport facilities to all of our passengers while maintaining a natural and eco-friendly design at our destination and for sure, Dufry’s worldwide knowhow will continue to contribute in making the passenger experience gratifying and proud to utilise our Santiago International Airport installations.”

He adds that annual passenger levels are projected to rise as Dominican nationals utilise the airport’s conveniently located facilities to travel internationally and domestically.