Due to the commercial variety, services provided and the huge amount of people passing by, airports are generally considered real cities. Let’s unveil their details while we hang around Barcelona’s airport El Prat.
In order to discover the new trends, it is not necessary to walk along one of the huge commercial avenues of the world, such as Passeig de Gràcia. You can visit an international airport to be ‘in’.
During 2014, more than 37 million passengers and a hundred airlines breathed life into El Prat airport. The huge flow of people constitutes an important source of income for brands and businesses of every type.
The commercial areas are constantly reinventing themselves, which attracts passengers from all over the world, especially those who have to wait some hours for their next flight.
Another point in favour is the fact of being well-communicated to the city of Barcelona, either by car, taxi, bus or train. And soon, there will be a new means of transport from the airport, Metro line 9, which will reach Fira de Barcelona, right in the heart of the city.
Let’s get to know one of the greatest airports in Europe!
Travel retail
When it comes to attracting travellers, the commercial area is a plus for the airport. Nowadays, El Prat features 124 commercial stores, including restaurants. Among them, 82 are located in T1 and 42, in T2.
Six years after the opening of T1 in El Prat, the airport offers a consolidated and varied offer of products and services. Some of the brands still continue there, together with some others that have been added. The commercial area is popularly known as the Sky Center.
Last year finished with the opening of Victoria’s Secret in T1 and Versace, TAG Heuer, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tous, Loewe and Burberry in T2. These stores are also complemented by the planning of Baix Llobregat, which includes the incorporation of Desigual store in Viladecans, located just a few minutes away from El Prat.
More than 37 million passengers (27 of them, international ones) have been able to enjoy those services.
The next goal for T1 is to turn the Sky Center in the best shopping center among the ones at European airports, a referent combining luxury brands with urban fashion.
Services that boost sales
The commercial offer goes beyond fashion and accessories. There are also sportswear shops, travel accessories and interior design options at Barcelona’s airport.
Moreover, a wellness space has been included for visitors to enjoy health and beauty treatments, a real spa for feeling at ease before travelling.
All the services have contributed to increase the number of Asian and Russian passengers lately, among other nationalities with a high purchase power. This is a profile that has helped increase sales in the commercial area.
Barcelona El Prat Airport Smart City Success Story from Schneider Electric Software on Vimeo.
Whereas the national traveller shows an average expense of 6.3 Euros per capita, international passengers evidence an average of 51.8. Together they add to an annual figure of 35 million Euros.
The national managing agency Aena also benefits from El Prat airport, which represents 51,5% of its global income. The airport is profitable all year round, whereas the airports of Girona (Costa Brava) and Reus (Costa Dorada) depend a lot on seasonality.
New metro line to the heart of Barcelona
Barcelona can be accessed by land, sea and air. The AVE service connects the city with Madrid and Paris, cruises arrive from all the corners of the Mediterranean Sea and its airport, among the ten best ones in Europe, connects the city to international spots.
El Prat airport receives 37.4 million of passengers every year (6.4% more than last year) and most of them go directly to Barcelona. The city center is located 17 kilometers from the terminals, although they are quite well-connected.
Today you can get to Barcelona by bus, train (T2) or taxi. But people are also waiting for a new service that will allow them to reach the city.
Metro line 9, the largest of Europe, extends throughout 43.71 kilometers. And in February 2016, it will open its new stretch between the airport and Zona Universitaria. Among its stops, there will be Fira de Barcelona, where the Mobile World Congress will soon be celebrated.
When the construction work ends, people will be able to get to the airport in just 20 minutes from the city center. That is expected for 2018.
This new phase will consolidate Barcelona’s airport as a spot within the metropolitan area of the city.
