Guam airport board open to Taiwan company for duty free services; NMI keeps Korean airlines
The A.B. Won Pat International Airport, Guam is continuing negotiation with Lotte Duty Free Guam as the current contract is due to expire in July, including an extension of three years.
A settlement with DFS on its longstanding legal case was completed in February. At its February 27 board meeting, the board authorized “management and its consultant” to negotiate further with Lotte and on the RFP.
Typically, duty-free contracts at the airport have been for 10 years. The RFP is not on the airport’s website, but interested vendors can request it.
Ever Rich's duty free retail store in Terminal. Photo courtesy of Ever Rich 2 at the Taoyuan International Airport
But according to comments by Doyon A. Morato, director of operations and strategic development for Marunda Defense Services Ltd. and airport board member, a new Request for Proposals was issued March 6. She said the airport was working with the Guam Visitors Bureau to advise as many potential bidders as possible.
Gov. Lourdes A. Leon Guerrero said that Ever Rich Duty Free, which provides duty free service at Taipei’s Taoyuan International Airport in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 had visited Guam’s airport. Ever Rich also has stores outside of the airport, with goods purchased delivered for collection at the airport.
In 2014, aside from Lotte, bidders included Shilla Duty Free of Korea and JR Duty Free of Australia, according to Journal files.
According to a previous Moody Davit report, duty free revenue provided about 50% of non-aviation revenues to the airport.
Ever Rich completed its Terminal 2 upgrade at Taoyuan International last June, with improvements across duty free shopping, dining, and public spaces. According to the airport, the facility sees around 36 million passengers and more than 2.08 million tonnes of cargo per year.
The Guam airport saw 782,840 passengers in calendar 2025.
In related news, Asia Pacific Airlines has applied to the U.S. Department of Transport for rights on the Guam-Manila and Guam-Hong Kong routes. Adam Ferguson, president of the cargo airline said the intent is to “grow the network.” APA inaugurated its new HC-5 hangar at Guam’s airport in September.
In addition, Philippine Airlines will commence twice weekly direct Manila-Saipan flights on March 29. Visitor arrivals to the Northern Mariana Islands totaled 14,828 in January, a decrease from the previous year. Korean airline T’Way Air will continue flying between Seoul and Saipan until Oct. 24. Jeju Air will suspend flights from March 29 to April 29; resuming daily service April 30, according to CH-Aviation.
The SKECHERS Saipan Marathon 2026 on March 7 attracted 782 registrants. Alongside the marathon, the first Saipan Marathon Business Expo on March 6 was jointly organized with the NMI Dept. of Commerce, attracting about 20 participants.
Palau saw 7,810 arrivals in January, compared to 7,486 in December, with China and Japan the two largest source markets, and Australian arrivals continuing to be significant. The January arrivals figure is 13% higher than January 2025. Palau saw 71,681 arrivals in 2025. mbj
While Cope North did not take place in Guam this year, Guam businesses can hope for some military customers when Valiant Shield takes place from June 22 until July 1.
The Guam Solid Waste Authority is concentrating on fleet modernization and sustainability initiatives as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the island’s waste management system.
