LagardereAWPL has become the single operator of Auckland Airport’s duty-free operations, with sub-brand Aelia Duty-Free winning an extension of its contract until 2025.
The transition will see 90 percent of existing staff at Duty-Free outlets in the Airport transfer to Aelia Duty-Free. Additional positions will also be created, with current openings in the logistics, operations and support divisions.
Chief commercial officer at Auckland Airport, Mark Thompson, said the partnership was welcomed, adding that Lagardere is already located at the international terminal's departures and arrivals areas.
“Aelia Duty-Free offers a great choice of products, with beauty and cosmetics typically topping the list as some of the most purchased at Auckland Airport. All of our customers’ favourites will still be available, plus many more are being added,” said Thompson.
“With the shift to a single duty-free operator, we look forward to providing a larger range of products without the duplications experienced in a dual operator model. As always, Aelia’s products will remain tax and duty-free.”
The partnership was initially supposed to occur in September 2023. However, the shift was bought forward three months to ensure a seamless transition by all parties.
The Loop Duty-Free outlet has been an airport resident for the past seven years, arriving while the duty-free programme was a dual model. Over the next year, a tender process for a long-term duty-free contract at Auckland Airport will commence.
