Aer Rianta International secures Portugal airports deal

State-owned Aer Rianta International (ARI) will run retailing in Lisbon, Faro and six other Portuguese airports in a deal announced on Thursday.

ANA Aeroportos de Portugal has appointed ARI, part of the State airports group DAA, as its partner to manage duty-free and duty-paid shops in eight locations.

From June 1st the Irish company will manage 34 shops, totalling 9,500sq m, for seven years, in a joint venture with the Portuguese operator. The premises include main duty-free stores, satellite outlets, fashion and beauty in airports in Lisbon, Faro, Porto, and the Madeira and Azores islands.

ANA Aeroportos de Portugal runs the country's 10 biggest airports. It is part of global operator Vinci.

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Ray Hernan, ARI's chief executive, said that announcing a significant contract win as travel emerged from the pandemic was a tribute to the entire company.

Thierry Ligonnière, ANA chief executive, explained that the group wanted a partner with a proven track record in airport shopping.

Nuno Amaral, ARI's business development officer, predicted that the deal would develop a "great retail proposition in Portugal".

Vinci operates 53 airports in 12 countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Its businesses include Belfast City Airport.

ARI opened the world’s first airport duty-free shop in Shannon in 1947. It employs more than 3,000 people and owns or manages retail businesses in airports around the world.