Zürich Airport posts solid commercial gains as Dufry plots duty free upgrade

SWITZERLAND. Zürich Airport commercial revenue climbed by +1.8% year-on-year to CHF220.7 million (US$218.7 million) in 2016. As previously reported, total gross sales from concessionaires hit CHF544.6 million (US$540.7 million) in the year, a rise of +1.9% over 2015.

Within the revenue figures, retail and tax & duty-free climbed by +1.1% while food & beverage delivered a year-on-year gain of +3.7%. Average spend per passenger hit CHF39.40 (US$39.11). Revenue from car parking grew by +1.4% to CHF 75.4 million (US$74.7 million).

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Zurich Airport key commercial figures from 2011 to 2016

Zürich Airport cited the renewal of its duty free contract with Dufry and the opening of two new Hour Passion boutiques and a Fabric Frontline shop in the Airside Center in December as among the big retail developments of the past year.

In its annual report, Zürich Airport said: “The Swiss retail industry remains under pressure. In response to changes in shopping behaviour, it is essential to develop and implement appropriate strategies to boost sales. Close cooperation with partners is therefore all the more important. The early extension of the duty free agreement with Dufry AG marks an important first step in this regard. Dufry will redesign all large duty free shops in the arrival and departure areas in 2017 and launch an innovative, high quality store concept.”

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Dufry will rebrand and redesign its duty free store this year

It added: “The airport’s digital competence and presence are being continually expanded. One example is the further development of the Zürich Airport app which was launched in the spring of 2016. As well as enhancing existing functions, users can now also book a parking space or create a travel itinerary all the way from their home to the gate. In addition, free use of Wi-Fi at Zurich Airport has been extended to two hours.”

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Total company revenue increased by +2.4% year on year, to CHF1,012.8 million (US$1 billion), breaking the one billion Franc mark for the first time in the airport’s history.

Zürich Airport handled 27,666,428 passengers in the year, an increase of +5.6% year-on-year.

The adjusted figure for earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to CHF568.1 million (US$563 million), up +3.8% on the previous year. Excluding one-off effects, profit reached CHF239.5 million (US$237.3 million), an increase of +11.2% compared with the year before.

Flughafen Zürich AG said it expects passenger growth of around +4% in 2017, with slightly more flight movements than in 2016.

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Passenger traffic and key markets for Zurich Airport in 2016

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