Palma de Mallorca's airport expands its shopping area
Duty free shopping to double in size in time for the summer
Mallorca's international airport, Son Sant Joan, is to undergo a bit of a facelift this year to allow for expansion and improvement of the shopping and dining areas.
€12 million is to be spent on remodeling the retail space beyond the security gates. The work will start in February and will create 6000 square metres of shopping and refreshment space. Passengers traveling though departure lounges A, C & D will be routed through the improved duty-free shopping area on their way to the departure gates.
The airport will be welcoming brands such as Zara, Mango, Desigual and H&M into this shopping area. It is hoped that the improved shopping facilities will result in an increase in revenue from €31 million in 2013 to €52 million in 2017. Current average passenger spending at Mallorca's airport is €9 which is below the average spend at the other Spanish airports.
The redesign will create 100 jobs and the number of retail shops will increase from 13 to 22. The refurbishment will be completed by October although most of the work should be completed in time for the Easter holidays.
With an increasing international market and record high passenger numbers coming to Mallorca, the Director of Commercial Services of AENA (owner of the airports) has outlined the project as one to boost Son Sant Joan's reputation and increase efficiency and competitiveness.
