Cologne/Bonn Airport GmbH and Rewe Markt GmbH have extended their long-standing retail partnership at the Rhine air traffic hub ahead of schedule. A newly signed lease agreement secures the continued presence of the supermarket in Terminal 1 for another ten years, until July 31, 2036.
The supermarket, which opened in 2009, was the first store of the Cologne-based Rewe Group at a German airport. The new regulations ensure comprehensive local supply 24/7, 365 days a year, which constitutes a legal exception to North Rhine-Westphalia's shop closing law.
The location in the terminal building plays a dual economic role. In addition to serving international passengers and airport visitors, the approximately 500-square-meter sales area acts as the primary supply point for the roughly 15.000 employees of the entire airport complex, as well as for residents of the surrounding Cologne and Troisdorf districts. The product range includes classic groceries, drugstore items, and convenience foods, as well as an expanded selection of regional specialties. Thilo Schmid, CEO of the airport, and Lars Klein, Head of the Rewe West Region, emphasized the high relevance of the location for the airport's daily logistics and infrastructure.
As part of the contractual agreement, a comprehensive technical and visual modernization of the branch is planned for the calendar year 2027. Plans include expanding the checkout area with additional self-service terminals (express checkouts) to increase processing speed during peak passenger times; traditional staffed checkouts will remain in operation. Furthermore, the branch will receive a modified brand identity, in which the Rewe Group logo will be visually merged with the official brand name of Cologne Bonn Airport to emphasize its local roots.
Retail at major German airports such as Frankfurt, Munich, and Düsseldorf has become a crucial source of non-aviation revenue for airport operators. As revenues from core flight operations are under pressure due to rising government taxes and volatile passenger numbers, airport operators are investing heavily in enhancing the appeal of their shopping areas. Long-term contracts with financially strong anchor tenants like Rewe ensure stable lease income for Cologne/Bonn Airport and guarantee consistent foot traffic in the terminal's public areas.