Airport F&B giant signs up to Qatar's Hamad Int'l

Food and beverage operator SSP has announced a joint venture with Qatar Duty Free to operate 11 outlets at the new Hamad International Airport.

The project will be SSP’s first venture in Qatar and is estimated to be worth $190m over a seven-year term, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

SSP said the new outlets, which will begin trading towards the end of 2013, will include a number of internationally brands alongside a selection of its own concepts.

SSP operates in more than 30 countries worldwide - in over 140 airports and 250 rail stations across Asia, North America, Europe, the Middle East, India and North Africa.

Andrew Lynch, CEO of SSP, said: “Hamad International Airport will serve one of the world’s fastest developing economies, offering considerable potential for building our business in the Middle East.

"The new venture will continue to strengthen SSP’s presence in the Middle East and Asia. When Hamad International Airport welcomes its first passengers, it will be one of the most high profile openings of the decade, and we’re delighted to be taking this exciting step into the Qatari market.”

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker added: “We are delighted to enter into this significant strategic partnership with SSP to operate food and beverage outlets at Hamad International Airport.

"SSP has shared our vision for the airport and has really delivered an outstanding mix of brands that will fit with our passenger mix.

"The outlets will cater to a diverse customer base, young and old, visiting or flying through this great new iconic airport which is set to become fully operational by the end of the year when Qatar Airways moves its entire operations to the new facility.”

A total of 10 airlines will begin operating from Hamad International Airport on April 1 while Qatar Airways, the main user of the facility, will switch its entire operations by the end of the year.

Flights from the 10 airlines will operate out of concourse B, and utilise the eastern runway, which is the largest of the two runways at HIA at just under 5,000 metres.