The Leading Airport Magazine

Commercial

Optimism for travel retail despite the testing times

With the imposition of the single bag carry-on rule, the restrictions on Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) and the World Health Organization’s proposal to ban duty free tobacco sales, recent months have proved to be tough for the travel retail sector. Ryan Ghee spoke to Frank O’Connell, President of the European Travel Retail Council (ETRC), and Olivier Jankovec, Director General, ACI EUROPE.

‘A vision to become the European hub of choice’

An interview with John Holland-Kaye, the new Commercial and Strategy Director, BAA Airports Ltd

Malta focuses on developing commercial activities

Malta International Airport will host the 19th ACI EUROPE Airport Trading Conference and Exhibition, which takes place at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta, on 26-28 April 2010. The airport’s €5 million terminal expansion plan includes an overhaul of the retail, catering and security areas, resulting in significant capacity increases both landside and airside. Having opened in mid-June, the airport expects to see commercial revenues accounting for almost one third of the total business by the end of next year. Louise Driscoll reports.

Commercial revenues at Europe’s airports increasingly embattled

The 12th meeting of the ACI EUROPE Commercial Forum was held in Porto on 20 April, preceding the 18th ACI EUROPE Trading Conference & Exhibition. Ross Falconer and Robert O’Meara report. Additional reporting by Danielle Michel.

Planning for future growth essential despite economic uncertainty

The inaugural ACI Airport Economics and Finance Conference was held in London on 10-11 February. The challenges being faced by airports, with global traffic forecast to drop by 4-5% in 2009 and the economic crisis affecting the financial sector that is so vital to the capital intensive airport industry, meant that the event, jointly organised by ACI EUROPE and ACI WORLD, could not have been more timely. Ross Falconer reports.