Riga Airport Selects International Partners for Commercial Space Management

RIX Riga Airport has concluded its international tender for the management of commercial areas within the passenger terminal, selecting winners across all four tender lots: duty-free retail, food & beverage, convenience retail, and business lounge services.

The duty-free retail and food & beverage lot has been awarded to the Swiss company “Dufry International AG”, operating under the Avolta brand. The convenience retail lot has been awarded to Malta-based “TheMillerGroup”, operating under the WHSmith franchise, while the business lounge services lot has been awarded to the current service provider “TAV Latvia Operations Services”, operating in Riga under the Primeclass brand.

Laila Odiņa, Chairperson of the Board of Riga Airport: “We highly value the fact that the tender has enabled us to attract strong international operators whose scale and expertise will further enhance the quality of services at Riga Airport. Partners of this calibre bring high industry standards, foster innovation, and provide passengers with a more diverse and modern airport experience, while also contributing to the growth of non-aviation revenues and strengthening the Airport’s competitiveness at both the regional and international levels. At the same time, I would like to thank our current commercial operator, TAV Latvia Operations Services, for the longstanding partnership in shaping the passenger experience at Latvia’s gateway to the world – Riga Airport.” 

Arturs Saveļjevs, Member of the Board of Riga Airport responsible for commercial affairs, added: “The tender requirements placed particular emphasis on the integration of Latvian producers, local brands, and elements of Latvian identity into the commercial concepts and interior design proposals. We are pleased that the selected operators have reflected these priorities in their bids. As a result, Riga Airport’s future commercial offer will feature a broader representation of Latvian-made products and brands, providing meaningful support to local producers and contributing to the growth of the Latvian economy.”

Avolta AG (SIX: AVOL) is a global leader at the intersection of travel retail and food & beverage, delivering integrated shopping and dining experiences across airports, motorways, cruise lines, ferries, rail and other high-traffic travel locations worldwide. Avolta’s global workforce operates in more than 70 countries and across nearly 1,000 locations, managing around 5,100 points of sale. Its traveler-centric strategy is built on digital, data and continuous innovation, while its scale and reach, across multiple travel environments, strengthens resilience and underpins consistent operational and financial performance.

“TheMillerGroup” operates WHSmith-branded stores across key travel hubs including Malta International Airport, Athens International Airport, Thessaloniki Airport, and Belgrade Airport. With origins dating back to 1914, TheMillerGroup is a well-established international retail and distribution group specialising in travel retail, convenience, and essential services within high-footfall, time-sensitive environments. The Group operates a network of over 40 outlets across multiple jurisdictions, spanning airport, transport-linked, and high-street locations. It is recognised for delivering strong sales productivity, optimising compact retail formats, and curating relevant product ranges tailored to passenger needs. The introduction of WHSmith at Riga Airport will bring a proven, passenger-focused travel essentials retail offer to the Baltic region.”

TAV Operation Services (TAV OS), a subsidiary of TAV Airports and a member of Groupe ADP, is one of the world’s leading airport hospitality operators with over two decades of experience operating in 61 countries across more than 200 airports. The company delivers premium lounge management and holistic airport hospitality solutions - including Meet & Greet, Fast Track, porter services, airport transfers, loyalty and membership platforms, airport hotels, and commercial area management - serving over 7 million guests annually through nearly 400 service points. Its global footprint spans Europe, Türkiye, the Middle East, the Caucasus, Central Asia, East Asia, Africa, and North and South America, delivering its services through a global brand architecture including Primeclass, Extime Lounge, HelloSky, Treva, TAV Passport, and LoungeMe.

The new operators will commence operations at Riga Airport on January 1, 2027, following the expiry of the current concession agreement with the existing commercial operator SIA “TAV Latvia”. The agreements with the selected operators, concluded in accordance with the Public-Private Partnership Law, provide for long-term cooperation, including after the completion of Riga Airport’s passenger terminal expansion project.