Our History

Airport Retail Enterprises is a wholly Australian owned company that has been operating high quality Food & Beverage and Retail outlets in major Australian airports since 1971.

ARE is a pioneer and innovator in the airport retailing industry, constantly keeping abreast of Australian retail trends, then bringing them to the airport. We have been at the forefront of major airport redevelopments in Australia over the last 40 years. 

Chronology

2012

Sydney Qantas Domestic Terminal
ARE redeveloped its signature Velocity and NRG Express brands and introduced Toby’s Estate Café and Bar Corretto into the Qantas Domestic Terminal as part of Qantas’ food court refurbishment.

 2003

Coolangatta Domestic
ARE opened Pure NRG, Velocity and Refuel in the newly renovated Qantas end of the Coolangatta airport, after successfully running temporary operations at the site for over 12 months.

2011

Melbourne International Terminal
ARE completed the build of its international operations, opening Hungry Jack’s, Wok On Air, Bar Pulpo by MoVida and, following the success of Café Vue airside, a landside Café Vue Express outlet.

2002

Central Station, Brisbane
ARE opened Zoom and Pure NRG in the busy CBD terminal, further strengthening ARE's brand presence off airports.

2011

Sydney Domestic Terminal 2
ARE successfully tendered for three new Premium Dining outlets at Sydney’s Terminal 2. By the end of the year, Bistro 2020 was in operation, with Brasserie Bread and Toby’s Estate to follow in 2012.

2001

Sydney International and Domestic
ARE acquired Bar Italia in both terminals, strengthening the company's presence in Sydney. In September ARE opened Zoom.

2010

Sydney International Airport
ARE acquired Rossini Gastronomia, Rossini Gelateria, Bar Savoia and Naan Man Du in the Sydney International food court, with refurbishments to all outlets scheduled in 2011.

1999

Sydney Domestic
Based on the success of ARE brands in Brisbane, ARE introduced Velocity and Pure NRG, completed in time for the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

2010

Melbourne International Airport
ARE successfully tendered for the food and beverage outlets at Melbourne International Airport’s airside food court. The flagship restaurant of the terminal is Shannon Bennett’s Café Vue.

 1998

Brisbane Domestic
In a pivotal moment in airport retailing, ARE developed generic Food & Beverage brands to operate in a food court environment. The brands included Velocity, Refuel, Pure NRG and Tanja's.

2009

Gold Coast Airport
ARE opens a refurbished NRG Express, Velocity, Zoom and Hungry Jack’s in the new Gold Coast common user terminal.

1997

Cairns International
Following on from its success at the Domestic Terminal, ARE established Australian Gems & Jewellery at Cairns International Airport.

2008

Sydney International Terminal
ARE opens the Viaggio Vittoria café in the new landside food court. This opening sees ARE now operating the major premium coffee outlets in all three Sydney Airport terminals.

 1997

Perth
ARE commenced the operation of two gift shops (Oz Shop and Australian Gems & Jewellery) and an ice cream shop, Fruit Scoops at the Perth International Terminal.

 2008

Virgin Sydney Terminal
In July, ARE acquired the buzzing Quikfix coffee outlet, rebranded it Quikshots, and watched sales increase due to improved operations.

 1996

Cairns Domestic
ARE acquired Australian Gems & Jewellery at the Cairns Domestic Airport, based on its successful management of its Food & Beverage operations.

2007

Sails
ARE acquired a fast food, cafe and function centre at Suttons Beach in Redcliffe, QLD. The complex is undergoing a renovation and will reopen in early 2008.

 1996

Darwin
ARE purchased all Food & Beverage operations at the Darwin Terminal. On take over, ARE introduced Australian Gems & Jewellery, a Cafe and News & Gifts

 2007

Brisbane Domestic
ARE opened Wok On Air, NRG Express, Velocity, Subway and Hungry Jacks outlets in the terminal's food court, and wins Qantas' inaugural 'Retailer of the Year' Award for the redevelopment.

 1991

Alice Springs       
Overcoming the challenges of operating in the new terminal's harsh desert location, ARE produced Bar & Bistro, News & Gifts and Australian Gems & Jewellery.

2006

Brisbane Domestic
ARE opened Atmosphere, a destination café with bar, coffee, full menu and huge plasma TV screens so customers can see current sporting events while they eat.

 1990

Cairns
ARE established a Food & Beverage business at the International Terminal, capitalising on international transit trade. ARE operated Food & Beverage and Gift Stores for seven years.

 2006

Sydney International
ARE joined forces with the iconic Sydney café, Bar Coluzzi, to open a Bar Coluzzi at the Sydney International Terminal. This was ARE's first experience in franchised brands, and is considered a huge success.

 1987

Brisbane Domestic
ARE secured all food & beverage operations at the new Domestic Terminal for Australian Airlines (Qantas) and Ansett. This involved a complete fit-out at a cost of over $3 million.

 2004

Sydney Domestic
ARE opened Bar Roma – an Italian café with thin-crusted Roman style pizza, espresso coffee and a full bar, and NRG Juice, serving fresh juices.

 1986

Perth
ARE's design and construction of a News & Gift outlet at the brand new Perth International Terminal coincided with Australia's defence of the America's Cup.

 2004 Sydney Domestic
ARE opened Bar Roma – an Italian café with thin-crusted Roman style pizza, espresso coffee and a full bar, and NRG Juice, serving fresh juices.
 1985  Brisbane
ARE converted a World War II hangar into the Brisbane International Terminal's concessions. From 1985 to 1990 annual sales grew from $1.3million to $6million.
 2003  Sydney Domestic
ARE opened its now signature noodle outlet, Wok on Air and Ignite Grill at the terminal, creating the first ever freshly cooked meal offer on Australian airports. 
 1974  Melbourne
ARE operated three news agency bookstalls at the new Tullamarine Airport for eight years, making ARE the largest bookseller in Victoria at the time.
     1971 Perth
Airport Retail Enterprises founded.