TOP 10 AIRPORTS: ISTANBUL
by the General Directorate of State Airports Authority at Istanbul Airport and supported and assisted commercial partners throughout the crisis. Samsunlu comments: “The
necessary measures have been taken with our commercial partners to provide a hygienic and safe shopping environment. “Social distance stickers, plexiglass
protective coatings and hand sanitiser have been placed in suitable areas within the terminal.” Specific measures have been
taken to protect personnel and their working spaces. “In this regard, we prepared educational presentations on Covid-19 and shared them with all our employees and third parties/partners.” He adds: “Additionally, we are
cooperating with our commercial partners in terms of strengthening sales [value/volume] and increasing market share with e-commerce.” Last year the new Istanbul Airport
served over 52m passengers but handled just 12.3m between January and May 2020 due to the pandemic. This prompted İGA to create digital platforms which will soon be operational. “Duty free and travel retail has
been hit hard [by Covid-19- Ed] which is the same for airports worldwide.
This has pushed us to produce different solutions.” Samsunlu, who revealed İGA is
carrying out cross-collaborations for its Asian passengers, expects sales to gradually recover in the second half of the year. Looking at the bigger picture,
he remains positive, yet realistic. “Last year, we had excellent passenger numbers, which obviously had a positive impact on commercial revenue. “This year, such passenger
numbers will understandably not be reached, and commercial revenue will be lower than 2019. “With flights gradually increasing,
alongside the measures we have taken and new agreements and projects in the pipeline, we expect improved revenue rates.”
‘Pent-up’ air travel demand Any improvement in revenue will be linked to people’s confidence to travel and shop,” adds Samsunlu. “We always believe there is a pent-up demand for air travel. “People want to travel to different
countries to see their families and loved ones. The Covid-19 situation has already changed several times. As long as there is a vaccine or appropriate treatment in place, people will feel safe to travel again.”
“Digital sales are growing strongly and our previous experience with online pre-order and pick-up services has been very positive.”
Kadri Samsunlu, CEO, İGA
Travel uptake, however, will inevitably take time, emphasises Samsunlu: “It is particularly important to convert travellers who are reluctant to enter shops. “They must either be reassured
by the safe environment, or willing to learn how to shop remotely and collect items at the gate or in the arrival hall on their return trip. “In the recovery period after
Covid-19, it is imperative to focus on the safety and wellbeing of passengers and staff. “Stores must be increasingly
digitised with contactless payments, including touch and use credit cards and mobile phone payments.” Passengers will become more
confident to travel once they experience the ‘careful safety measures’ in place at airports. “Our airport is the perfect
destination with the measures we have taken and the opportunities for passengers to find the right purchases,” concludes Samsunlu. «
IST – Istanbul, TR
AUGUST 2020
TRBUSINESS 45
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