SWITZERLAND. Zürich Airport retail and dining turnover climbed by +24.3% year-on-year in 2021, to CHF294.8 million (US$323 million), with airside sales up by +32.9% and landside sales up by +18.3%. This was less than half of the comparable turnover figure for 2019 at CHF601.4 million (US$621.6 million).
Airside spend per departing passenger in 2021 climbed by +8.4% year-on-year to CHF28.10 (US$30.76). The commercial figures for the year benefited from rising passenger traffic, up by +22.7% compared to 2020, reaching 10.2 million.
In December, commercial turnover almost doubled year-on-year to CHF34.1 million (US$37.3 million), aided by the growth in traffic. In December traveller numbers reached 1.06 million, a leap of +198% on a year earlier.
All bars and restaurants reopened at the airport by July last year, boosting the F&B business in the second half.
Zürich Airport also maintained a programme of retail and dining investment through the pandemic. In Airside Level 1, the southern part of the terminal was significantly upgraded with a more modern, cleaner look, featuring an enhanced Marché food concept, an expanded BurgerKing, one of two new Yooji’s sushi venues, a new Starbucks (one of five), a Prezelkönig kiosk and a fresh design for P&B, the news & books retailer.
Elsewhere in Airside Level 1, the first Aesop store in European travel retail opened in December. Also new (since November) is Capi Electronics and a first for travel retail with pop-up store GATEZERO by Highsnobiety. More stores in this zone will open this year.
The Center Bar, a highlight of the airside area, has been substantially redesigned (through architect Roger Copeland and Detail Design), with the aim to create a feel of downtown Zürich.
