Duty free chains to bid for AAI shopping space

 AAI floated a global tender in September inviting bids for duty free shopping space of around 1,566.92 square metres in 10 major airports.

 The airports identified were Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kozhikode, Goa and Tiruchirapalli. The licence is for five years.

 The last time AAI had floated tenders for duty free shops was in 2000, which was bagged by India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) with a bid of Rs 37 crore.

 AAI officials said though the bid size was ambitious, ITDC could not generate adequate returns. AAI was not allowed to invite any further bids from 2001 onwards due to the government