Split Airport to triple duty free space with new terminal opening in 2018

CROATIA. Split Airport is to open 1,030sq m of duty free space at its new €60 million terminal, the first phase of which is scheduled to open in September 2018. The new store will house around three times the space in the existing terminal, which covers 360sq m split across two stores, one for beauty and the other for all other categories.

Deputy General Manager Ante Teklic and Trading & Catering Manger Tea Bralic outlined the airport’s plans for the new facility.

Teklic said: “Phase one will help us handle the anticipated continued rise in passenger traffic. We should hit 3 million passengers next year. The new terminal will have 35,000sq m of space in total, against 12,000sq m today. We will refurbish the existing terminal to create space of 47,000sq m combined. That will also include a project to open a new bus station and car parking for 1,000 vehicles. Phase two will follow by May 2019, and in that year we will also upgrade the runway.”

Bralic said: “The new duty free will be close to a walk-through as passengers will be guided there after immigration but there will be the option to bypass it too. We will dedicated more space for some fashion & accessories brands we have not been able to house until now. We will also continue to adapt to the increasing numbers of young people who fly in on low-cost carriers (around 50% of traffic), who more and more want better offers in confectionery, food, local goods and even cigarettes.”

The food & beverage offer will also be greatly enhanced at the new terminal, with a 500sq m restaurant on a mezzanine level, plus two café/bar options on the ground floor in around 500sq m combined. These, like F&B currently, will be managed in-house. Duty free is also run by Split Airport but with Gebr Heinemann as exclusive supply partner (for all except local products).

*We’ll bring you much more on Split Airport’s plans in a special report in our Cannes edition.