Changi Airport inks 10-year agreement to transform airport in Hainan

Changi Airports International (CAI) has signed a 10-year agreement with Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK) to manage its non-aeronautical commercial operations. 

Through this joint venture, CAI will have exclusive rights to manage retail, food and beverage, advertising, leisure and commercially important-person (CIP) airport services at the Chinese airport for 10 years, starting from January 2025. 

In addition, the partnership will transform HAK into an integrated consumer hub and level up consumer spending to enhance its commercial revenue. 

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The partnership will leverage Changi Airport's brand reputation and expertise in airport commercial management to optimise passenger experience, increase retail offerings, and introduce new digital services such as eCommerce and loyalty programmes.

Key areas of focus for the joint venture include retail operations where it will expand the variety and quality of both international and local brands, including the introduction of offshore and international duty-free shopping as well as food and beverage where there will be a curated selection of wide dining options.

Other key focus for the joint venture also includes advertising and leisure services where brand visibility will be enhanced through strategic advertising and leisure services and finally, CIP lounge services where passengers' experiences will be elevated through world-class offerings. 

“Our collaboration with Meilan Airport stems from the shared vision of creating a world-class airport environment that supports both passenger experience and economic development. It marks a key milestone in the expansion of CAI’s global footprint, and we look forward to working closely with HAK to transform the airport into a hub of choice for travellers and retailers alike," said Eugene Gan, chief executive of CAI. 

"With China’s growing economic and tourism potential, this partnership also supports Hainan’s goal to become a global tourism and trade centre. By harnessing CAI’s expertise, HAK is poised to attract more international brands, enhance the airport’s infrastructure, and solidify its position as a leader in the region’s travel and trade sectors," he added. 

This joint venture comes on the heels of Jewel Changi Airport's (Jewel) partnership with Trip.com. 

The three-year strategic partnership will see exciting programmes for travellers and leverage Trip.com's global network to reach a wider international audience, as well as encourage travel to Singapore and visitors to Jewel. 

As Trip.com continues to expand its presence globally, the partnership will also enable it to further raise brand awareness among Jewel’s diverse audience of international and local visitors.

Through this partnership, Jewel will run special campaigns on Trip.com to attract more visitors to Canopy Park, as well as to spur spend at Jewel's retail offering. Jewel and Trip.com will also jointly launch a brand new Trip.com light and music showcase in October. 

The showcase will draw inspiration from Trip.com's mission "to pursue the perfect trip for a better world" and weave a narrative around the theme of travel.

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