MEXICO. Dufry has signed an agreement with Aeropuertos del Sureste (ASUR) to extend the duty free and duty paid concession at Cancún Airport terminals 2, 3 and 4 for another ten years.
World Duty Free, acquired by Dufry in early 2015, has held the Cancún contract since 2001.
The key contract at Cancún Airport, which welcomes close to 20 million passengers per year, covers retail space of more than 6,000sq m, including approximately 1,500sq m in the new Terminal 4, which is due to be opened in 2017.
The renewed contract also includes the operations at Cozumel Airport.
The news is a welcome and early boost to Dufry after ASUR announced in April its intention to issue tender documents for the ten-year concession by the end of June with plans to make a decision by 15 October.
Following the extension, Dufry will immediately start to refurbish the existing shops at Cancún T3 and develop a walk-through concept at Cozumel Airport, to be completed in 2017.
The space at the new Cancún Terminal 4 will also be developed in 2017. It will be ready for the opening of the terminal and will feature Dufry’s latest shop design concepts.
As well as a wide assortment of duty free core categories such as liquor, tobacco, perfumes & cosmetics and confectionery, customers will also be offered watches, fine and fashion jewellery, accessories, fashion, leathergoods and writing instruments.
A strong focus across the product mix will be put on destination products with ‘The Tequileria’ and ‘Discover Mexico; concepts offering a wide selection of local products, food and souvenirs as a tribute to Mexican cultural heritage and to provide visitors with a distinct Sense of Place.
From 2020 to 2023 Dufry will also gradually refurbish the other shops at Cancún Airport.
Dufry Group CEO Julián Díaz said: “We are all very happy to have reached this agreement with ASUR to continue to operate at one of the fastest-growing airports in Latin America and I would like to thank the management of ASUR for the longstanding relationship of mutual trust.
“It is our ambition to develop a state-of-the art commercial environment and a compelling offer, exceeding the expectations of the passengers and creating value for both Aeropuertos del Sureste and Dufry.”
