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Alpha dismisses negative reports; insists it will open as planned at Delhi International Airport – 27/02/07
Source: ©The Moodie Report
By Martin Moodie
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INDIA. Alpha Airports Group has denied a local media report that its plans to open duty free stores at Delhi International Airport are in jeopardy.

A report in Economic Times last week claimed that the plans of Alpha Future – a joint venture with Pantaloon Retail (India) – were “on freeze” due to bureaucratic wrangling over regulatory approval for the partnership.

The partnership was awarded the Delhi duty free retail contract in November. The 3.25 year contract, awarded by Delhi International Airport Pvt Ltd (DIAL), was expected to begin on 1 January.

Commenting on the delay and the publicity, Alpha Airports Group Peter Williams told The Moodie Report: “The reality is that the process of bureaucracy here takes a long time to work through. But none of this dulls our expectations.”

He declined to be drawn into the details of the newspaper report, commenting: “Suffice to say we are about to get the relevant approvals. Virtually everything that was reported is incorrect.

“We are well down the way to opening our stores in the airport.”

Asked if he was convinced the company would be able to begin its contract soon, Williams replied: “Absolutely. The stores are virtually finished and we will be opening as planned.” "