Retail returning to Auck Airport

AUCKLAND: Retailers at Auckland Airport have begun opening up after what has been a twoyear hiatus for most, but the country’s busiest airport warns not all will have their doors open this year.

Just 30% of the airport’s some90 retailers have opened for travellers, in line with the recovery of international passengers, and while more are preparing to open up in coming months, staffing shortages are causing issues.

Airport head of property Mark Thomson said retailers in the international and domestic terminals wanted to open back up for trade but a lack of staff was making it difficult for most.

Most businesses that were open were operating at limited hours.

The airport’s current focus was reopening the international terminal, Mr Thomson said.

Just two food and beverage businesses were open airside at present — Vantage Bar and Best Ugly Bagels, albeit with limited hours — and McDonald’s and Retro Caravan were the only two food businesses open landside at present.

Emirates Leisure Retail’s Vantage Bar had stayed open through the pandemic, as have duty free retailers The Loop and Aelia.

Typically, prepandemic, a total of 28 food and beverage operators would be trading in the international terminal, 14 airside postsecurity. Through this month and next, 10 more retailers were expected to reopen.

Auckland Airport had coordinated about $180 million in rent relief each year for retailers spread across the international and domestic terminals since pandemic began, and that had continued into the 2022 financial year. —