NEW HORIZONS
About Us

Our Journey

ATU DUTY FREE began operations at the dawn of a new millennium as a joint venture between TAV Airports Holding and Gebr. Heinemann/Unifree. Today, almost two decades later ATU provides service through more than 120 duty-free stores at 20 airports in 7 countries. Having come a long way from our humble beginnings in 2000, we are determined more than ever raise our brand image and further our mission to even greater heights in the years ahead.

OUR PRIDE

AWARDS

IDA Design Awards with Istanbul Airport Luxury Square “Big See Interior Design Award”

  • 2024

IDA Design Awards with Istanbul Airport Luxury Square - “Bronze Award”, “Commercial Interior Designs” category, with Istanbul Airport Luxury Timepieces - “Honorable Mention”

  • 2024

Oman Airports Awards - "Airport Best Service Quality" and “Best Implementation of Safety Measures During The Covid-19 from 2020-2022”

  • 2022

Etika Turkey Ethics Award

  • 2022

Oman Airports Awards - Best Retail Company

  • 2019

Platin Global 100 Awards, 1st place in “Tourism Sector” in Türkiye

  • 2017

Brandon Hall Excellence Award - “ATU Style” Customer Experience Project

  • 2015

WWF Green Office Certificate

  • 2014

Frontier Awards “Highly Commended – Specialty Concept of the Year” Old Bazaar concept store at Istanbul Atatürk Airport

  • 2014

Golden Brands Award “Georgian Wine” Concept Store at Tbilisi Airport

  • 2012

Social Security Institution (SGK) Award

  • 2012

“Protection of Employee Rights” and on-time payments of social security premiums

  • 2011

“Specialty Concept of the Year” Arrival-3 Premium Store at Istanbul Atatürk Airport

  • 2010

EPI “Environmental Ambassador” EPI’S TDPA - Totally biodegradable plastic additives

  • 2010

Frontier Awards “Specialty Concept of the Year” Old Bazaar concept store at Istanbul Atatürk Airport

  • 2010

Frontier Awards - Promotion of Georgian Wines and Cultural Sustainability

  • 2008

DFNI Global Awards Istanbul Atatürk Airport Duty Free stores

  • 2008

“Travel Retail Excellence” award for reopening of stores at Istanbul Atatürk Airport

  • 2007

ACI Airport Business and Trinity Forum, Dream Store “Best Shop Application - Cigarettes” category, Istanbul Atatürk Airport

  • 2008

Frontier Awards - Airport Retailer of the Year

  • 2000

We Always Keep Going

Our journey, which started in the millennium, has given us experience, dedication and insight over the years. We know that innovation is in the future, so we never stop and say “enough”. We are working as a whole with all our team members to always achieve the better.

OUR HISTORY

Landmarks of Success

  • Established as a joint venture between TAV Airports Holding and Gebr. Heinemann/Unifree.
1999
2000
  • Began operations at Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
  • Extended contract with TAV Airports Holding to 2020.
2005
2006
  • Began operations at Ankara Esenboga Airport.
  • Began operations at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport.
  • Began operations at Tbilisi and Batumi airports.
  • Renovated its duty-free store at Istanbul Atatürk Airport.
2007
2009
  • Began operations at Enfidha Hammamet International Airport.
  • Renovated its A1 and A2 duty-free stores at Istanbul Atatürk Airport.
  • Completed renovation of its duty-free stores at Istanbul Atatürk Airport.
  • Began operations at Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport.
  • Began operations at Skopje International Airport.
2010
2011
  • Began operations at Riga International Airport.
  • Opened duty free stores at Skopje Alexander the Great International Airport.
  • Opened Georgia Wine concept store at Tbilisi Airport.
  • Launched the official opening of its store at Riga International Airport. 
2012
2013
  • Began operations at Riga International Airport.
  • Opened duty free stores at Skopje Alexander the Great International Airport.
  • Opened Georgia Wine concept store at Tbilisi Airport.
  • Began operating a duty-free store at Kutaisi Airport.
  • Renovated its duty-free store at Ankara Esenboga Airport.
  • Expanded its duty-free stores at Batumi and Tbilisi airports.
  • Renovated its stores at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. 
  • Renovated its duty-free store at Alanya Gazipaşa Airport.
  • Renovated its stores at Istanbul Atatürk Airport.
2014
2015
  • Began duty-free and travel value operations at Madinah International Airport.
  • Opened travel value stores at Bodrum Airport.
  • Opened duty free and food & beverage stores at Salalah International Airport.
  • Renovated its stores at Izmir Adnan Menderes Airport. 
  • Began operations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
  • Opened new terminal stores at Istanbul Atatürk Airport.
2016
2019
  • Opened many luxury boutiques of distinguished brands at Istanbul Airport.
  • Opened two Old Bazaar stores at Istanbul Airport.
  • Galataport - We opened our Galataport store, our first store in the sea freight area and started the duty-free merchandising of Galataport Istanbul cruise port.
2021
2023
  • Dalaman - We opened our Luxury Square, Luxury Eyewear and Old Bazaar stores at Dalaman Airport.