CHINA. The much-anticipated Beijing Daxing International Airport was today (25 September) officially opened by China President Xi Jinping as it gears up to receive international flights on 27 October.
The spectacular new airport houses an extensive commercial offer led by China Duty Free Group (CDFG) and Lagardère Travel Retail in the international area, plus a host of the world’s leading luxury brands, spearheaded by Louis Vuitton, in the domestic duty paid zone.
International flights will be introduced on a phased basis from 27 October, The Moodie Davitt Report understands.
As reported, CDFG was the dual winner of the new airport’s two ten-year duty free concessions for liquor, tobacco and food/ confectionery on the one hand and for beauty and fashion on the other. These stores are complemented by a spectacular duty paid offer on the domestic level, featuring renowned luxury brands (led by Louis Vuitton), and an extensive food & beverage line-up.
Lagardère Travel Retail will occupy over 1,100sq m of space covering luxury fashion, beauty, travel essentials, speciality and food & beverage. Brands include Emporio Armani, Gucci watches & jewellery, Versace, Pandora, Jimmy Choo, MCM, Kenzo and Tory Burch in a signature project for the Paris- headquartered retailer.
The starfish-shaped, Zaha Hadid-designed airport has an initial four operational runways and capacity for 45 million passengers, rising to 72 million passengers per year and ultimately seven runways. It will operate in tandem with Beijing Capital International Airport, giving the Chinese capital two world-class international gateways.
Thanks to the shape of the airport, which gives a centralised multi-finger corridor configuration, there will be no more than 600m between the core commercial offer and the farthest gate.
For a detailed report on Beijing Daxing International Airport, read the October edition of The Moodie Davitt Report Print and Online Magazine, available at the TFWA World Exhibition and online next week.
