[Request for Proposal (RFP) To Develop, Operate and Maintain Duty-Free Outlets At Calicut International Airport] open
2.2/10AI summary
This tender provides details about the project including scope of work, estimated value, deadlines, and eligibility requirements.
Overview
The Airports Authority of India has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development, operation, and maintenance of duty-free outlets at Calicut International Airport. This tender is categorized under global tenders and is aimed at service providers in the miscellaneous services sector.
Scope / Work
The successful bidder will be responsible for developing, operating, and maintaining duty-free outlets at Calicut Airport. The contract is a lump-sum type, with a total tender value of ₹2,18,50,210. The work period is set for 2555 days, and bidders must ensure compliance with the pre-qualification criteria as per the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT).
Fees & EMD
- Tender Fee: ₹50,000 (non-exemptible)
- EMD (Earnest Money Deposit): ₹67,30,000 (fixed, non-exemptible)
Payment for both the tender fee and EMD must be made online.
Key dates
- Publish Date: 17-Feb-2026 05:00 PM
- Document Download Start Date: 17-Feb-2026 05:00 PM
- Document Download End Date: 01-Apr-2026 05:00 PM
- Bid Submission Start Date: 17-Feb-2026 05:00 PM
- Bid Submission End Date: 01-Apr-2026 05:00 PM
- Clarification Start Date: 17-Feb-2026 05:00 PM
- Clarification End Date: 25-Feb-2026 05:00 PM
- Bid Opening Date: 02-Apr-2026 05:00 PM
- Pre-Bid Meeting: 23-Feb-2026 11:00 AM (Online)
Documents
Bidders can download the following documents from the e-tender portal:
- Tender Document
- Financial Bid
How to proceed
Interested bidders should ensure they meet the eligibility criteria and prepare their bids accordingly, adhering to the timelines specified above. Participation in the pre-bid meeting is recommended for clarifications.
How good is this tender for you?
Tender to develop duty-free outlets at Calicut Airport.
Plain-language analysis covering money, competition, paperwork, timeline and who this tender realistically suits.
- Mid-size tender
- Open to global bidders
- Expect high competition
- Long money lock-in
- Tough for small businesses
- Not ideal for startups
- Multi-year execution
- Heavy money commitment
- MSME-friendly1.0
- Startup-friendly3.0
- Low competition2.0
- Light on money2.5
- Easy to execute3.0
- Light paperwork5.0
What this tender is really about
This tender is for developing, operating, and maintaining duty-free outlets at Calicut International Airport. The total value is about ₹2.18 crore, and the work period is over seven years. Bidders must prepare for a significant upfront cost and a long commitment.
What you gain if you win
- Access to a lucrative airport retail market.
- Long-term contract for stable revenue.
- Potential for brand visibility in a busy location.
What could trip you up
- High upfront costs with a large EMD.
- Complexity in managing airport operations.
- Need for specialized skills in retail management.
Who is this tender best suited for?
Recommended for
- Established retail companies
- Airport service providers
- Experienced contractors in commercial services
May struggle with this
- First-time bidders
- Small businesses without capital
- New startups in retail
Money side, in plain words
- Upfront fees
- No tender fee, but a large EMD of ₹67.3 lakh is required.
- Security deposit (EMD)
- The EMD is a significant upfront cost that may strain finances.
- Money you must set aside
- Funds will be tied up for the duration of the contract, about 7 years.
- Payment timing
- Payments may be slow and contingent on contract terms.
What it takes to deliver
- Kind of work
- Service related to retail management.
- How long it takes
- The work will take about 7 years.
- Skills you'll need
- Skills in retail operations and airport regulations.
- Where the work happens
- Work is located at Calicut International Airport.
- Paperwork
- Moderate paperwork is involved, including online submissions.
Competition: who else might bid?
- How open it is
- This is a global tender.
- Likely crowd
- Expect a moderate number of bidders due to high value.
- What helps you win
- Experience in airport retail will be crucial to win.
Practical things to think about
- Consider the long-term financial commitment before bidding.
- Participating in the pre-bid meeting can provide valuable insights.
- Ensure compliance with airport regulations to avoid issues.
Hidden challenges & gotchas
- The large EMD may deter smaller bidders.
- Long contract duration could lead to changing market conditions.
- Complexity in airport operations may require additional resources.
In one paragraph
Tender for duty-free outlets at Calicut Airport available now.
- Who should bid
- Bidders with experience in airport retail and sufficient capital should apply.
- Who should probably skip
- Small businesses without financial backing may find this tender challenging.
AI-generated analysis based on structured tender metadata, financial figures, execution timelines, and procurement complexity factors. Actual eligibility, competition, and execution requirements may vary depending on the tender clauses and the evaluating department's criteria. Always read the official tender document before bidding.
Financials
| Tender value | ₹2,18,50,210 |
|---|---|
| EMD amount | ₹67,30,000 — payable to Nil at Nil |
| Tender fee | ₹50,000 — payable to Nil at Nil |
Payment mode Online
Timeline
| Publish date | 17-Feb-2026 05:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Bid end | 01-Apr-2026 05:00 PM |
| Opening date | 02-Apr-2026 05:00 PM |
Critical dates
From the portal detail page (all dates captured when available).
| Published date | 17-Feb-2026 05:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Bid opening date | 02-Apr-2026 05:00 PM |
| Document download / sale start | 17-Feb-2026 05:00 PM |
| Document download / sale end | 01-Apr-2026 05:00 PM |
| Clarification start | 17-Feb-2026 05:00 PM |
| Clarification end | 25-Feb-2026 05:00 PM |
| Bid submission start | 17-Feb-2026 05:00 PM |
| Bid submission end | 01-Apr-2026 05:00 PM |
Tender Documents
Tender documents will appear here once available.
Work details
Location, category, and schedule for this procurement.
| Location | Calicut Airport |
|---|---|
| Category | Miscellaneous Services |
| Period of work | 2555 days |
| Bid validity | 180 days |
Tender basics
| Tender type | Global Tenders |
|---|---|
| Form of contract | Lump-sum |
| Tender category | Services |
| No. of covers | 2 |
| Organisation chain | Airports Authority of India||Southern Region - AAI||CALICUT - AAI||COMMERCIAL-VOCL - AAI |
| Source portal | etenders.gov.in |
Authority details
| Inviting authority | APD Calicut |
|---|---|
| Address | AAI, Calicut Airport |
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