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The new-look Chennai airport will have nearly three times the current retail space.
Retail space at the existing domestic and international terminals is 3,250 sq m, comprising 60 concessions including duty-free, retails shops, restaurants and snack bars and executive lounges. The retail space earmarked in the new terminals – both international and domestic – is about 9,000 sq m.
“The new-look airport, after expansion, will have adequate duty-free shopping area both at the arrival and departures of the international terminal,” says Mr Hareendranathan E.P., Airport Director, Chennai. Most of the major airport retailers such as W.H. Smith, HMS Host and Travel Food Services, operating concessions at metro airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore have expressed interest in setting up shops at the new terminals, says the Airport Director.
“Other major branded retailers have also shown interest in operating concessions.” IL&FS Infrastructure Development Corporation has been appointed as the consultant to advise on enhancing non-aeronautical sources of revenue at the new terminals, including F&B and retail. The expansion of the Chennai airport, which includes construction of a new domestic terminal and expansion of international terminal, has been long in the making, with the deadline being revised several times. According to current estimates, trials runs are expected to happen in January; the airport is expected to be operational by April 2012.
Currently, the Chennai airport handles about 325 aircraft movements a day. After expansion, it is likely to increase at the rate of 5-7 per cent. By 2020-21, the Chennai airport will be geared to handle 500 movements a day.
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