Sydney Airport plans to revamp its travel essentials offering at the T1 International terminal, issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to major retailers to reimagine the 4,000 sqm space that attracts more than 17 million passengers per year.
The Sydney Airport RFP represents one of the most significant retail developments in the Australian aviation sector with 40 per cent of international travellers arriving at Australia’s busiest hub and an average dwell time of 120 minutes.
It’s an opportunity for Sydney Airport to create a world-class end-to-end travel experience for both international visitors and overseas-bound Aussies as major global airports continue to innovate and ramp up their airside spaces and amenities.
The T1 terminal retail space covers 20 sites across travel essentials, including news and books, gifts and souvenirs, pharmacy and wellness categories.
It comes as T1 International has undergone major upgrades in food, retail and entertainment in the last few years, including the opening of the SYD X luxury shopping precinct, a new arrivals forecourt, dining venues and Australia’s first-ever airport gym, plus a barber and nail salon.
Sydney Airport Group Executive Commercial Mark Zaouk said it is looking for partners to help shape the future of airport retail and create a standout experience for Australian and international flyers.
“This is a unique opportunity for retailers to play a defining role in the next chapter of travel essentials at Australia’s international gateway,” he said.
“We’re seeking long-term partners who share our ambition to deliver exceptional, customer-first experiences, concepts that are innovative, commercially strong and go beyond traditional retail formats to meet the evolving needs of today’s global passenger.”
In addition to standard proposals, the Sydney Airport RFP is encouraging ‘Visionary Proposals’ that challenge traditional category boundaries. Submissions may combine categories or propose alternative commercial structures. The closing date for Sydney Airport RFP submissions is 13 July 2026.
KARRYON UNPACKS: The Sydney Airport RFP highlights how airports are evolving into experience-led retail hubs, presenting new partnership and revenue opportunities while reshaping traveller expectations across the journey.
