SPAIN. Bidding for the high-profile Aena duty free tender covering 27 Spanish airports will close tomorrow (3 May) with strong global interest in the opportunities.
The expected turnover of the contracts is €18 billion over their lifetime. The opportunity includes 86 core duty free outlets, plus locations dedicated to other categories.
Together, they will occupy an approximate retail surface area of 66,000sq m, which represents an increase of more than +40% compared to present levels across the Spanish airports network.
The tender features six lots compared to just three in the previous tender, all offering sufficient size for economies of scale to be developed. The contract duration is 12 years, with the option of three annual extensions.
Some 13 companies representing ten large international duty free groups applied to bid during the first phase.
The major groups that expressed initial interest in bidding included incumbent Dufry plus other Europe-based groups, Lagardère Travel Retail, Aer Rianta International and Setur Duty Free of Türkiye.
Others included China Duty Free Group, Hotel Shilla (parent of The Shilla Duty Free), Bahrain Duty Free, GMR Airports of India, and UETA (controlled by Duty Free Americas).
Notably, this is the first time that large players from Asia and America have shown interest in entering the Spanish airport market.
As reported, German travel retailer Gebr. Heinemann withdrew from the race in February.
The tender results will be published in July. Current duty free contracts at the Spanish airports are in force until 31 October 2023. 
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