Belfast International Airport has appointed Lagardère Travel Retail to operate the new duty free retail and food and beverage store, set to open in April.
Spanning over 1,600 square metres, the new concept store twice as large than the current provision and will create 40 new jobs. The new offering at Belfast International Airport will combine Duty Free, Food and Beverage and Travel Essentials all under one roof creating a "fully immersive duty free experience". They say for the first time, passengers will have access to iconic global brands such as MINISO and Rituals, enriching the airport’s retail landscape with high- quality, exciting options.
The offering will also have a Whiskey Apothecary concept, featuring local brands such as McConnell’s, Bushmills, and Boatyard Distillery. Passengers will also be invited to explore an international tasting bar, sampling local and global products to discover and take home their favourite finds.
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Interactive “Hotspots” will add an immersive dimension, showcasing curated selections of clean beauty, local fashion, and dining options to engage travellers and create memorable experiences.
The project, which is due to open in April 2025, is part of VINCI Airports’ five year £100m investment and redevelopment program to enhance the passenger experience at Belfast International Airport.
Peter Newbould, Chief Executive Officer of Lagardère Travel Retail UK & Ireland, said: "We are proud to partner with the Belfast International Airport team to bring a rich variety of global and local brands to travellers at Belfast for the first time. Our vision is to create an exceptional and dynamic experience that goes beyond the traditional airport journey, combining innovative concepts with a strong sense of place.
"This project underscores our commitment to delivering memorable and engaging moments for travellers, while also showcasing the rich culture of Northern Ireland."
Daniel Owens, CEO Belfast International Airport said they were "thrilled" to partner with Lagardère Travel Retail to deliver a "truly unique and elevated passenger experience".
"This collaboration has been a testament to the power of teamwork and shared vision," Mr Owens added.
"We’re confident that this partnership will redefine the travel experience at Belfast International Airport. However, it also highlights the inequality that Northern Ireland travellers face as they cannot avail of the full duty free tax exemption when travelling to other UK and EU Airports, as airports across rest of the UK and Ireland can, following the Brexit transition period.
"This places Northern Ireland at a clear competitive disadvantage for attracting routes, visitors and investment and something we are determined to put right to ensure our travellers are fairly and equitably treated."
You can see concept photos of the new duty-free area in our gallery below.
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