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PANAMA. Tocumen International Airport is awarding 27 retail tenders in its Terminal Muelle Norte (North Pier), which opened in April for arriving flights.
The awards by the Panamanian hub include duty free outlets for Motta Internacional (a 90sq m store) and Grupo Wisa (180sq m duty free plus speciality toy and travel goods stores).
Concessions in the 22,000sq m of space now opened represent the main commercial opportunities in a cycle of 2012 concessions that will also deliver tenders for retailing of sporting goods, children’s clothing, Panamanian goods and luxury brands.
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Completion of the North Pier at Tocumen International Airport is planned for January 2013 |
Tocumen is in the midst of a major expansion programme that will see the North Pier completed in January 2013, to be followed by a new Central and South Terminal (first phase due for 2014 completion).
The project will add 75,000sq m of terminal space and increase capacity to 15 million passengers per year as Tocumen aims to become the ‘Hub of the Americas’.
“Tocumen International Airport today has become a major centre for business and logistical developments,” said Juan Carlos Pino, General Manager of airport authority Tocumen S.A.
Pino told The Moodie Report that the airport administration launched the commercial component of the North Pier “because the rentals and concession fees represent an important source of income for the terminal, as is happening today with the duty free.
“Among the business segments that have been open for bids are electronics, toys, luxury handbags, leather goods, jewellery, luggage, liquor and fragrances,” he said.
There will also be speciality shops from Sony, Apple and Rolex, and the sixth National Geographic Museum store outside the United States.
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The project will add 75,000sq m of terminal space and increase capacity to 15 million passengers per year |
After completion of the works of the North Pier in January 2013, Tocumen will begin construction of a new Central and South Terminal, which will also serve to remedy the lack of boarding space in the current passenger terminal, Pino outlined.
“This will be accompanied by a commercial infrastructure, hotel and hospital with an investment of approximately US$450 million.
The airport is committed to developing “a commercial airport city”, Pino revealed. “The offer will include a convention centre, hospitals, department stores, hotels and a business park, among others.”
The airport’s 2011 passenger numbers grew +15.9% compared to 2010, reaching 6 million passengers.
“Positive movement in passenger traffic” continues so far in 2012, with 1.14 million passengers in the first two months. Tocumen S.A. forecasts almost 7 million passengers in 2012.
Note: A feature article on travel retailing in Panama and Colombia will appear in The Moodie Report’s Latin America Special Edition this month.
