Aelia Group added a new location to its French regional network, as the retailer begins operations in Tarbes-Lourdes Pyrénées airport. Following a recent tender, the Group secured the contract to operate a 300m² multi-category store at the airport from April 1.

The store offers a full range of perfumes & cosmetics, liquor, tobacco, fine food & confectionery, gifts, souvenirs, regional specialities and toys. It will also offer a selection of press titles courtesy of an agreement between Aelia and sister company Relay.

The airport serves not only as a gateway to skiing resorts in the Pyrenees, but also as the main arrival point for thousands of Catholic pilgrims visiting the famous grotto at Lourdes. In total the airport welcomed nearly 500,000 passengers last year.

Aelia director of regional operations Pascal le Droff commented: “It is always a pleasure to begin operating in a new location and particularly in such a dynamic and beautiful region. Our team deserves a lot of credit for getting the operation under way in such a short time and we are now looking forward to what we hope will be a busy summer period.”