OMAN. Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) has signed contracts with Aer Rianta International (ARI) and BTA Catering for the duty free and food & beverage concessions respectively at New Muscat International Airport. The airport company confirmed the agreements had been struck following a period of negotiation.
In February we broke the news that the two companies had been named preferred bidders following a highly competitive tender process.
The new airport is scheduled to open in 2017 with an eventual capacity for 36 million passengers. Both ARI (incumbent duty free concessionaire at the existing Muscat Airport) and BTA (owned by TAV Airports) will manage ten-year contracts.
The new airport will feature 18,000sq m of commercial space. Under the Duty Free and Luxury Retail package, ARI will operate an area of 5,320sq m and provide core category duty free products in addition to luxury fashion & accessories, watches, toys and gourmet foods & confectionery. BTA will manage 3,560sq m of dining space in the new facility.
In related news, OAMC will shortly begin negotiations with preferred bidders for a number of speciality retail contracts, including electronics, pharmacy, gold, CTN, convenience, spa, souvenirs and high street fashion, as well as for CIP lounge management.
The airport company has also received bids for other services including banking, ATMs, foreign exchange and car rental. These will be evaluated in coming weeks with preferred bidders due to be announced by mid-October.
