Eight retail spaces at Sofia Airport’s two terminals are now operated by Dufry. The change comes after the company was selected in an international tender. Under contract with the airport, Dufry will operate in the commercial areas for eight-and-a-half years.
The transformation of the commercial area at Bulgaria’s largest international airport is part of airport operator SOF Connect’s concept to improve the passenger experience.
In the coming months new shops with a total area of nearly 2,000 square meters are to be built with “walkthrough” areas that will sell Bulgarian goods as well as global brands.
The shopping areas are part of a transformation programme of Sofia Airport, in which more than 140 million BGN will be invested in the first five years of the concession. The programme also includes doubling the capacity of the check-in counters and the associated baggage management system, a two-fold increase in security checkpoints, border control relocation, completely new food and beverage facilities and many other improvements throughout the airport infrastructure.
The airport’s CEO Jesus Caballero said: “The new retail areas are an important part of passenger convenience and comfort. They are part of the passenger experience that we will significantly improve to achieve our ambitious goal of being a 5-star regional airport by 2028.”
