NEW ZEALAND. Christchurch International Airport Limited (CIAL) and international duty free retailer JR/Duty Free (JR) have extended their duty free partnership at Christchurch Airport to the middle of 2023.
JR has also entered into a seven-year lease agreement with CIAL for a 500sq m warehouse that will be JR’s distribution centre for its New Zealand operations.
JR/Duty Free began Arrivals and Departures store operations at the airport in July 2010, after winning a competitive tender process for an eight-year concession.
JR/Duty Free CEO Milton Lasnitzki said he was thrilled CIAL has extended the contract.
“This extension reflects the strong partnership between JR/Duty Free and Christchurch Airport and our shared focus on delighting passengers at every opportunity,” Lasnitzki said.
“We have done a lot of good work together in the past five years. I recall in particular how our two management teams rallied together very effectively during the extremely trying times following the Christchurch earthquakes in late 2010 and 2011.
“Passenger growth has been +7% in the past financial year and we are excited by Christchurch Airport’s plans to continue to grow passenger numbers. We also look forward to significantly growing passenger spend rates through consistently offering new and exciting concepts.
“We have seen increasing passenger numbers in recent times and know the South Island is very attractive to travellers, so look forward to welcoming them when they arrive through the Gateway to the South Island.”
Blair Forgie, Christchurch Airport Chief Commercial Officer – Property, welcomed the new terms of the partnership.
“The extension of the contract reflects JR/Duty Free’s strong connection to Christchurch both before and since the earthquakes.
“JR/Duty Free has performed strongly through some tough times and we continue to receive positive feedback from our customers,” Forgie said.
“We look forward to continued innovation from JR/Duty Free and providing our customers with a world class duty free shopping experience.”
In Australasia JR/Duty Free also has stores at Wellington, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin and Perth airports.
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