Hamburg/Catania, 5th May 2014. Heinemann Duty Free is celebrating its premiere at Sicily’s Aeroporto di Catania-Fontanarossa, with two new shops. The Gebr. Heinemann subsidiary Travel Retail Italiana won concessions to run the shops previously operated by Aldeasa early this year. With an extensive renovation and revamp of the Schengen and ‘Extra-Schengen’ (i.e. non-Schengen) zones now complete, travellers can enjoy exclusive shopping in two new Heinemann Duty Free shops prior to take-off. Coming on the heels of its Bologna and Pisa outlets, Heinemann is now represented at three of Italy’s airports.
Passengers passing through Catania – the sixth largest airport in the country – can now choose from a wide range of perfumes, cosmetics, spirits, confectionery and selected accessories from leading international brands at low prices. Heinemann has also integrated its “Regionals Market” concept into the shops, whereby a large chunk of retail space is given over to regional specialities. In this way, the German company picks up the Italian love of fine food and flair for contemporary design: in this “Regionals” zone, the Italian dolce vita is embodied in striking details such as an olive tree between the shelves. Other features typical of Italian markets and fine-dining restaurants around the country have generated a homely Italian ambience in the heart of the airport. Now passengers can discover the unmistakable aromas and tastes of Italy as they wait for a flight – everything from genuine Italian Parmesan and salami to Limoncello, Sicilian wines and the almond and pistachio pastries characteristic of the region. Through the “Regionals Market” concept, Heinemann Duty Free is introducing even more emotion to its shops and creating authentic ranges of goods based on high quality, home-grown products.
“We are pleased to be opening the shops at our third Italian airport in such a short time,” says Raoul Spanger, Executive Director of Retail and Human Resources at Heinemann. “The holiday island of Sicily is a dream destination for travellers, and we offer a range of typically regional specialities and international brands here. Italy remains a highly attractive market for Heinemann Duty Free, and we plan to carry on expanding in the country.”
The Schengen zone store spans 180 square metres, while the shop in the ‘Extra-Schengen’ area (as the non-Schengen area is called in Italian airports) has total retail space of 90 square metres.
“SAC is engaged in a very ambitious investment program for the future of the Catania International Airport”, says Gaetano Mancini, CEO of SAC – Società Aeroporto Catania - the airport management company headquartered in Catania. “Such investments are necessary for the expansion and improvement of infrastructures both in air side and land side. In the meantime, we give attention to every trade opportunity. For this reason our company is proud to have in our airport Heinemann, one of the most important players on the global travel market. Welcome!”
Catania Airport is the biggest airport in Sicily and is one of the major national airports. It's the first airport in Southern Italy for passenger traffic volumes. Catania Airport serves a catchment area of more than 3 million people (more than 60% of Sicily) and 7 provinces in the central-eastern Sicily. The airport, in fact, appears to be the main entrance door of the most important tourist destinations in Sicily, such as Taormina, the Aeolian Islands, Etna, Siracusa, Ragusa and Agrigento.
Main statistic data year 2013: 6.400.127 pax and 54.406 aircraft movements. This year starts (January, February and March) with a +11% in terms of passengers and +10% in terms of movements. Ryanair, easyJet, Air Berlin, AirOne, Vueling and Turkish Airlines are investing on Catania airport. A total of 8 new unserved destinations has been open (Madrid, Heindhoven, Marseille, Manchester, London Luton, Lyon, Prague and Istanbul). Also the Charter segment, which is known as a prime indicator of flows and trends in tourism, is increasing.
Full service for air passengers Anyone in possession of a valid boarding pass can shop at Heinemann Duty Free and every shopper pays the same price, regardless of destination. The only exception to this rule is tobacco goods, owing to the mandatory duty imposed on these products. Before leaving home, passengers can pre-order goods online from Heinemann by visiting heinemann-dutyfree.com. Approachable, highly skilled staff bring the Heinemann brand to life and ensure shopping at the airport is always a special occasion.
Press contact:
Gebr. Heinemann Lara Vitzthum, Head of Corporate Communications
T: +49 40 3010 2186
Catania International Airport Carlo Lo Re,
press officer T: +39 333 4739227
