NWS Holdings joint venture wins a five-year duty free concession at Macau International Airport
NWS Holdings Limited (“NWS Holdings” or the “Group”; Hong Kong stock code: 659) is pleased to announce that its joint venture company, Sky Shilla Duty Free Limited (“Sky Shilla”), has won a competitive bid to operate a duty free concession at the Macau International Airport (“MIA”) with effect from 7 November 2014. Under the five-year concession contract, Sky Shilla will have the right to sell liquor, tobacco, perfume, cosmetics, watches, jewellery and general merchandise at eight shop locations totaling 1,122 square metres, which is approximately half of the retail space within the restricted area of MIA.
Sky Shilla is a joint venture established in Macau between Sky Connection Limited, a subsidiary of NWS Holdings, and Hotel Shilla Co., Ltd., a South Korea-based company that operates duty free shops, hotels, and lifestyle and leisure facilities management. Sky Connection Limited and another subsidiary of the Group, Anway Limited, are currently managing and operating duty free concessions at all border crossing terminals at Hung Hom, Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Macau Ferry Terminal and China Ferry Terminal in Hong Kong.
Patrick Lam, Executive Director of NWS Holdings, said, “The partnership of NWS Holdings and Hotel Shilla Co., Ltd. will bring a full range of merchandise and our renowned customer service to passengers at the Macau International Airport. With our combined strengths and proven track record in the duty free industry we are confident that we can lift customer satisfaction and non-aeronautical service of Macau International Airport to new heights.”
MIA serves as a vital link between the Pearl River Delta region and the rest of the world. The airport is equipped with a full range of passenger and cargo facilities designed to handle six million passengers and 165,000 metric tonnes of freight a year. MIA recorded passenger growth of 11% and 12% in 2012 and 2013 respectively. It handled over 2.6 million passengers in the first half of 2014, representing an increase of over 10% while its non-aeronautical revenue surged 17.5% as compared to the same period last year.