Düsseldorf///Germany – Düsseldorf Airport and Lagardère Travel Retail Deutschland have opened a series of new food and retail concepts at the airport, marking a significant step in the long-term repositioning of the site as a modern travel destination. The rollout follows a major master concession awarded to Lagardère Travel Retail Deutschland after an international tender process covering large parts of the airport’s retail and food and beverage space.
The official opening took place on May 4, 2026, and represents one of the operator’s most significant launches in the German airport market to date.
“The new restaurants and shops send a strong signal: Düsseldorf Airport is moving closer to its goal of ranking among Europe’s best airports. Together with Lagardère Travel Retail Deutschland, we are deliberately investing in quality of stay and in experiences – because we believe that an excellent airport is exactly what passengers, guests and employees deserve,” said Lars Redeligx, CEO of Flughafen Düsseldorf GmbH.
For Lagardère, the project carries strategic weight beyond the immediate opening. “Düsseldorf Airport is significant for us on multiple levels: it represents a major success in travel essentials, reinforces our leading position in that segment, and strengthens our role in the dining space. Regional hubs like Düsseldorf demonstrate impressively how innovation can be advanced in a travel environment,” said Lucio Rossetto, COO of Lagardère Travel Retail.
“With the new stores, we are creating a diverse portfolio of international brands, innovative food formats and strong local concepts – reshaping the travel experience for millions of passengers,” added Jochen Halfmann, Managing Director of Lagardère Travel Retail Deutschland.
Food Concepts
The expansion places particular emphasis on food and beverage. Several new concepts bring international cuisine, urban food trends and regional specialties to the terminal, including brands making their German debut:
EL&N London brings its London-based lifestyle cafe format to the airport, offering patisserie, specialty coffee and a design-led store concept with strong social media appeal.
Popeyes introduces its Louisiana-rooted menu to Germany, centered on Cajun and Creole flavors including its signature chicken sandwich and chicken tenders.
bona’me, the restaurant concept of the Dogan family, offers modern Middle Eastern cuisine with open kitchens and freshly prepared dishes.
Papa Pepe takes its cues from the Amalfi coast and the streets of Naples, serving pizza, pasta and arancini in a relaxed market-hall setting.
Rheinbissen gives regional cuisine a permanent home in Terminal A, offering a contemporary take on Rhenish classics for an international audience.
Travel Retail
Alongside the F&B expansion, several new RELAY stores have been added to the airport’s retail portfolio. The brand offers a curated range of press, books, snacks, beverages and convenience travel products. In addition to its German and English-language book selection, the stores will host readings with local authors.
Further Openings Planned
Eight additional travel retail locations are in the pipeline, including further RELAY stores and new concepts such as Affenbande and Discover. A standout addition will be a RELAY Cafe, a hybrid format combining travel essentials retail with a cafe offer — bringing together press, books and food service under one roof. The format builds on recent brand development including the HAY! mascot introduced last year, and reflects RELAY’s broader push to expand its relevance beyond traditional convenience retail.
The joint development program positions Düsseldorf Airport as a modern food and retail hub within the European travel market.
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